WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's presidential announcement on Monday leaves Minnesota Republicans in limbo over the congressional seat she could leave behind.
Bachmann said that she will suspend her congressional campaign as she embarks on a White House bid. But she's left open the possibility of returning to her House seat, and Minnesota's election law gives her until June, 5, 2012, long after the key presidential primaries.
As Republicans consider jumping into the race for a potentially open seat in the state's most conservative district, they do so knowing that Bachmann -- and the millions of dollars she raises during her presidential bid -- could return to reclaim her seat.
"I think most people will be respectful of Michele Bachmann's campaign for president," said Tony Sutton, Minnesota GOP party chair. "If she is the nominee, then people will make a move."
Combine Bachmann's run with congressional redistricting -- in which Republicans have proposed overhauling the Seventh and Eighth districts and the map probably won't be finalized until 2012 -- and this year's Minnesota congressional primaries could be the most topsy-turvy in recent memory.
State Republicans acknowledge that the Sixth District is Bachmann's to come back to, even if it's only a consolation prize.
"It seems to me that anybody would be foolish to start making their plans and talking as if they would be a candidate until Michele Bachmann says she's no longer going to be the Sixth District representative," said 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate.
So far, Bachmann has not given Republicans in the district any greater clarity about her plans should her national bid fall short, according to numerous state Republicans.
