Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is abandoning her bid for a top leadership post among House Republicans.
Bachmann's office released a statement Wednesday saying she supports Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas for the job of House GOP Conference chair. The 6th District Republican had announced her intention on Election Day to pursue what will be the fourth-ranking slot among House Republicans when they take the majority in the new Congress in January.
Bachmann had tried to leverage her popularity among tea party activists, but top House Republicans including incoming Speaker John Boehner and his deputy, Eric Cantor, supported Hensarling for the post. Bachmann says she will continue to advance those ideals and seek to grow the House Tea Party Caucus, which she founded.
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