Michele Bachmann to run for Franken's seat?

Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., is officially leaving the United States Senate Tuesday, following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that a spokesman for Franken said he had officially submitted his letter of resignation to Governor Mark Dayton, D. The resignation takes effect Tuesday afternoon.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, D, will be sworn in as Franken's interim replacement on Wednesday. A special election will be held in November 2018 for the remainder of Franken's Senate term. Smith has stated she intends to run for the rest of Franken's term in November.

The vacancy opens the door for a Republican challenger to contend for a Senate seat in a state Republican President Donald Trump lost to Democrat Hillary Clinton by less than two percentage points. Republican state Sen. Karin Housley became the first Republican to declare her candidacy, in December.

Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is also thinking about tossing her hat in the ring. The Tea Party favorite, Christian conservative, and 2012 presidential candidate was interviewed on The Jim Bakker Show in December, where she claimed many were urging her to run for Franken's seat.

“I’ve had people contact me and urge me to run for that Senate seat. The only reason I would run is for the ability to take these principles into the United States Senate, to be able to advocate for these principles,” Bachmann said.

"The question is, should it be me? Should it be now?" she said, adding that she doesn't know if God is calling her to run again for public office.

“There’s a price you pay,” Bachmann said, noting that D.C. is "toxic." “And the price now is bigger than ever.”

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