Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, has ended her bid to become chairman of the Republican House Conference and now supports Rep. Jeb Hensarling, who will likely get the post.
“Jeb Hensarling has my enthusiastic support for his candidacy,” Ms. Bachmann said Wednesday night. “Jeb has demonstrated his commitment to limited government, reduced spending and lower taxes and he will be a strong voice for the tea party’s call for these values.”
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The Texas congressman has been the likely favorite for the job — the fourth highest-ranking post for House Republicans — since the party took control of the chamber in last week’s elections.
House Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor, expected to lead the GOP as the House majority leader in the next Congress, said Sunday he would endorse Mr. Hensarling.
He said the “tea party”-backed Ms. Bachmann was a “very good” candidate and that the tea party had “tremendous, positive” impact on the elections.
He also said that a post for Mr. Hensarling “doesn’t mean the tea party doesn’t deserve something.”
The elections are scheduled for next week.
“I look forward to continuing my consistent support of the tea party,” Ms. Bachmann said. “I plan to advance the tea party ideals through their listening arm, the tea party caucus. It is my wish to bring new faces to the caucus, including freshmen members.”
