Former Rep. Michele Bachmann
Michele Marie BachmannEvangelicals shouldn't be defending Trump in tiff over editorial Mellman: The 'lane theory' is the wrong lane to be in White House backs Stephen Miller amid white nationalist allegations MORE (R-Minn.) said in a recent interview that she is considering running for Democratic Sen. Al Franken
Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenHarrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Trump, Biden clash over transition holdup, pandemic plans The Hill's Morning Report - Fearing defeat, Trump claims 'illegal' ballots MORE's Senate seat.


"I've had people contact me and urge me to run for that Senate seat. ...And the only reason I would run is for the ability to take these principles into the United States Senate and be able to advocate for these principles," Bachmann told The Jim Bakker Show on Dec. 27.
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Bachmann, a conservative lawmaker who retired after 2014, added in the recent interview she is weighing "should it be me, should it be now? But there's also a price you pay" and the "swamp is so toxic."
"If you're a billionaire you can maybe defend yourself, [but] we're not money people. ...So we're trying to be wise—should we do this, shouldn't we do this, what?" she added.
Franken is resigning on Tuesday after multiple accusations of sexual harassment and groping. His successor, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (D), is scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.
Franken's resignation sets up a special election in 2018 for the remainder of his term. A second election, for a full six years, will be held in 2020.
Republicans haven't lined up behind a candidate yet. But the spotlight is on former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), because of his resume and fundraising chops.
Smith has said she will run for the remainder of Franken's term in 2018.