Congresswoman Michele Bachmann

I never had a life-long mission to become a politician, as many do. I had a good career as a federal tax litigation attorney. I had a wonderful family, with a loving husband, five fantastic kids, and 23 foster children. But the time for action presented itself in 2000. Many friends, neighbors, and local Republicans urged me to challenge our sitting State Senator at our GOP convention. Despite some reservations, I did so and came out on top. And, I was later elected to the Minnesota State Senate first in 2000 and again in 2004. When my Congressman and friend Mark Kennedy ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, his Congressional seat opened up and the circumstances seemed all too right to overlook. In a very tight race, I pulled out the victory and never looked back.

Politics is not something you pursue to fulfill your own sense of accomplishment or self-worth. It’s a position that feeds from within, with a steadfast dedication to those you represent. You work for the people; they do not work for you, and I guarantee that if all 435 Representatives remembered that each day, Congress would be a better steward of your hard-earned tax dollars.

If running for office is in your future, I wish you the best of luck. Congress needs more good, conservative women Representatives. If you choose to run honestly on your principles and for a greater good, you’ll be happy with yourself at the end of the day - win or lose. But if elected, never sacrifice those principles for short-term political gain. There’s nothing more important to me than being a loving wife and mother, but serving as a United States Representative who remains true to her principles sets a pretty nice example for the family.

Michele Bachmann is the Republican Representative of Minnesota's 6th congressional district. Prior to her election, Bachmann had served in the Minnesota State Senate, beginning in 2001. She is the third woman and first Republican woman to represent Minnesota in Congress.