Bachmann won't seek reelection to House while running for president

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) will not run for reelection to her House seat while she runs in the GOP presidential primary, she said Tuesday.

The Associated Press reported that under Minnesota law, Bachmann could switch back and seek reelection to the House before June 5, 2012, which is after the early primary contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. 

That would give her time to test her support among Republican primary voters before choosing whether to continue on with her presidential campaign.

Bachmann, a Tea Party favorite, announced Monday night during the GOP presidential primary debate in New Hampshire that she had filed paperwork to run for president.

According to Bachmann's campaign, state law bars a major party candidate from running for president and Congress on the same ballot, the AP reported.

---