Wealthy hotel chain owner Jim Graves, who came within 4,300 votes of unseating U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann last year and planned to challenge her again in 2014, unexpectedly announced on Friday that he was ending his bid for Minnesota’s 6th congressional district seat.
The decision by the deep-pocketed St. Cloud businessman to pass on the race came only 48 hours after the controversial Tea Party congresswoman announced in a rambling video that she wouldn’t seek a fifth term in the U.S. House next year.
Graves told reporters that his mission had been accomplished.
“After meeting with my closest family members, friends and supporters, we have decided to suspend Jim Graves for Congress indefinitely,” the one-time candidate said in a statement released earlier this evening.
“This was never about Jim Graves,” he continued. “This was about challenging the ineffective leadership and extremist ideology of Michele Bachmann on behalf of those she represents. As of Wednesday, that goal was accomplished—and our supporters are and should be incredibly proud of that accomplishment. I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for the tireless work of our fantastic campaign team and our legions of friends and supporters.”
The hotel magnate’s decision to exit the race has left Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders scrambling for a viable replacement in the Republican-leaning district.
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