Tea Party Patriots Co-Founder: 'Bachmann Has Been An Outstanding, Fearless Leader In Congress'

Tea Party darling Michele Bachmann announced Wednesday she won't seek re-election for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a video message, Bachmann, who ran for the Republican presidential nominations last year, emphasized that her standing down didn't have anything to do with the investigation into the activities of her presidential campaign staff, or concerns she would be defeated for the Minnesota seat in 2014.

"There is no future option or opportunity that I wouldn't be giving serious consideration if it can help save and protect our great nation,'" Bachmann said.

And for the Tea Party Patriots, or TPP, the country's largest tea party organization, she will be sorely missed.

"Michele Bachmann has been an outstanding and fearless leader in Congress and on behalf of conservative principles. She has fought against growing government, Obamacare, waste, fiscal irresponsibility, and against the ruling elite that has fought tooth and nail against Tea Party Patriots and the movement," Tea Party Patriots co-founder and national coordinator, Jenny Beth Martin, said. "Michele believes in the American people who make up the tea party and has fought for our principles with tenacity and fearlessness. We appreciate all she has done to stand with us and to fight for freedom. We look forward to working with her in the fights ahead."