Politics & Government
Jim Graves 'Suspends' Campaign Now That Michele Bachmann Is Out
'The feeling is: Mission Accomplished,' the DFL challenger told MinnPost.
Updated below. Two days after U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) stunned the political world by announcing she will not seek re-election in 2014, her DFL challenger Jim Graves is set to stop campaigning, according to MinnPost:
“Basically, after all that’s gone on, and with Michele Bachmann now stepping down, I’ve been talking to my friends and family and frankly, the feeling is, ‘Mission Accomplished.’ She wasn’t representing the people of the 6th District appropriately, and now she won’t be representing them. There’s no way anyone could run and win who would be worse than Michele Bachmann. So we accomplished that task. ...
“All through Memorial Day weekend, she was in the district, working the crowds. Obviously something happened to cause her to believe that she shouldn’t run again. We’re very happy she dropped out. ... Now there are zero things on my agenda that I feel a need to do in public life.”
Read the full article at MinnPost.com.
UPDATE 1: Graves' campaign released this statement Friday morning:
“After meeting with my closest family members, friends and supporters, we have decided to suspend Jim Graves for Congress indefinitely. This was never about Jim Graves; this was about challenging the ineffective leadership and extremist ideology of Michele Bachmann on behalf of those she represents. As of Wednesday, that goal was accomplished—and our supporters are and should be incredibly proud of that accomplishment. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for the tireless work of our fantastic campaign team and our legions of friends and supporters.”UPDATE 2: Here is a statement from DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin:
“While I am disappointed that Jim Graves has dropped out of the race for Congress, he ran a good campaign in 2012 and has laid the groundwork for another DFL candidate in 2014.
“It’s not often an open seat becomes available for a seat in Congress. Although it’s a conservative district, with the right candidate this is a great opportunity for Democrats. Residents of the 6th CD haven’t had someone in Washington D.C. working on their behalf in eight years. They understand that if Republicans put forward another far-right, Tea Party candidate, it will be politics as usual for them.
“Within the next days and weeks we’ll see Democrats announce their intention to run and in 2014 we’ll have a strong candidate who will connect with voters.”
Related at St. Michael Patch:
- Full Transcript: Michele Bachmann's Announcement That She Won't Run Again
- Michele Bachmann: 'I Will Not Seek a Fifth Congressional Term'
- Jim Graves to Run Again for Michele Bachmann's 6th District Seat
- New Poll Has Jim Graves Beating Michele Bachmann
- Michele Bachmann Win Secured as Jim Graves Concedes
- Bachmann Challenger Jim Graves Sits Down with St. Michael Patch
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