Bachmann won't run for 5th term

Tea Party favorite U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., won't run for another term in the House, she announced through a video on her website.

Bachmann said her decision had nothing to do with facing another challenge from Democrat Jim Graves, who gave her a tougher-than-expected battle last year for the seat, despite being vastly outspent.  Graves, who founded the AmericInn hotel chain, has already said he will run again in 2014.

Polls show the two in a dead heat.

"I have every confidence that if I ran, I would defeat the individual I ran against last year," Bachmann said in the eight-minute video released this morning.

Bachmann, who represents Minnesota's 6th district, will have served four terms, which is long enough, she said.

Without citing her future plans specifically, Bachmann said she would continue to work "100 hour" weeks to advance conservative beliefs.

She also said her decision had nothing to do with the January filing of a complaint to the Federal Election Commission by a former aide claiming Bachmann made improper payments to the former chairman of her presidential run.  The aide also accused her of other FEC violations.

"I have always strived to be first and foremost a public servant," Bachmann said, adding, "and never acquiesced to be a political servant."

She then went on to blast the Obama administration over  the Affordable Care Act and other policies.

"There is no future option or opportunity, be it directly in the political arena or otherwise, that I won't be giving serious consideration if it can help save and protect our great nation," Bachmann said.

She pledged to "work vehemently and robustly to fight back against what most in the other party want to do to transform our country into becoming, which would be a nation that our founders would hardly even recognize today."

That includes fighting, "to protect innocent human life, traditional marriage, family values, religious liberty, and academic excellence."

Bachmann's decision could leave her district up for grabs. It is Republican-leaning, but the GOP will have to find a solid candidate to defeat Graves.