Posted: 2/14/05
Sen. Michele Bachmann declares candidacy for Congress in Sixth District
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Sen. Michele Bachmann has declared her candidacy for Congress in the 6th Congressional District.
Bachmann's announcement comes three days after 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy, R-Watertown, announced his bid for U.S. Senate.
Bachmann, 48, a second-term Republican who has gained high media visibility in her push for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and efforts to eliminate the Profile of Learning, made her announcement at a Capitol press conference on Monday (Feb. 14).
"The views of the people across the district and my views are very, very compatible," said Bachmann. "I love the average Minnesotan," said Bachmann. "I love from being from Lake Wobegon," she said.
Bachmann was the first Republican candidate to formally announce bid for Congress in the 6th District ó she beat Rep. Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud, House Ways and Means Chairman, by about an hour.
In announcing, Bachmann spoke of taxes, safeguarding local control of schools, Homeland Defense and Social Security. "I plan to go to Washington D.C. and help the president work on social security reform," said Bachmann, expressing interest in privatization for younger people.
Bachmann also cited her anti-abortion stance and support for banning same-sex marriage ó she sees the need for both federal and state constitutional amendments.
She would abide by the district convention endorsement, said Bachmann. Indeed, she would support Kennedy if he elected to run again for Congress in the 6th, she said.
Her campaign had been preparing for about seven weeks, said Bachmann.
"I think for everyone it feels very, very early," said Bachmann of announcing, explaining that her campaign keyed on Kennedy's actions in timing the moment.
Bachmann expects a need to raise as much as $2 million for a Congressional race.
"I think that would be fun," she said of fundraising.
Bachmann first won election in 2000, defeating former Republican senator Gary Laidig in the Republican primary to go on to win the general election.
In 2004, in redistricting matchup, Bachmann defeated former DFL senator Jane Krentz in a strong showing.
Bachmann and husband Marcus are long-time residents of Washington County.
The couple has five children.
A tax attorney by profession, Bachmann attended the Anoka-Hennepin School District, growing up in Anoka.
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