Michele Bachmann
U.S. Congresswoman and likely Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann (R-MN) speaks at the Americans for Prosperity Foundation's "Presidential Summit on Spending and Job Creation" in Manchester, New Hampshire April 29, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican with close ties to the tea party, announced that she has filed the paperwork to be seek her party's nomination and will formally announce her intentions soon.

Congresswoman Bachmann is the first female contender for the 2012 presidential race and decided to go up against Obama because we cannot risk giving President Obama four more years to dismantle our nation, according to a fundraising letter, saying That's why I've made the decision to get in this race.

Bachmann founded and currently serves as the chair of the new Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives. Bachmann gained popularity with tea party activists and rose to prominence by her TV appearances and criticisms toward Obama.

The 55-year-old bold congresswoman once accused Obama of running a gangster government . Before holding government office, Bachmann was an attorney.

Bachman has proved her fundraising power through a network of donors and bringing in $13.5 million in the House race of 2010.

The social conservative's first stop is in Iowa, her birthplace, an area dominated by Christian evangelicals.

Bachmann's husband, Marcus, runs a faith-based counseling clinic. She is a mother of five and foster parent to over 20 girls.

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