WASHINGTON, July 23 (UPI) -- Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is retiring from Congress at the conclusion of this term, but said "there's a chance" she will run for president in 2016.
In an interview with RealClearPolitics Tuesday, Bachmann addressed the question on whether she thought any Republican women would throw their hat into the ring for the presidential election in 2016.
"The only thing that the media has speculated on is that it's going to be various men that are running," she said. "They haven't speculated, for instance, that I'm going to run. What if I decide to run? And there's a chance I could run."
Currently, the speculated Republican ticket solely consists of men, most notably New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Texas Gov. Rick Perry. On the Democratic side, one woman's name keeps rising to the top: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's name has also popped up, but she repeatedly said she has no plans to run. Other possible Democratic candidates for 2016 include Vice President Joe Biden, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Bachmann ran in 2012, but was unsuccessful after a series of public gaffes, controversies,shortcomings in campaign staffing and fundraising issues. She also claimed in the interview to be one of the "top fundraisers" in the history of Congress.
Bachmann said she will make her decision about the 2016 presidential race after she completes her tenure in the House.
"I think it's important to have sufficient time to lay the necessary groundwork to have a really solid campaign and a campaign team put together," she said. "And I think probably I would think about that decision earlier than I did last time."
