Michele Bachmann mulls run for Franken's Senate seat

(KMSP) - Prayers—and much public speculation—might be enough to propel Michele Bachmann back into what she calls the "toxic swamp" of national politics. 

The controversial conservative firebrand told televangelist Jim Bakker on his Dec. 27 show that she was considering a run for Sen. Al Franken's former seat in a 2018 special election following public allegations of sexual misconduct against the embattled Senator.

"I'm from Minnesota, I've had people contact me and urge me to run for that Senate seat," she said.

Bachmann said she was currently asking God if getting back into politics is in his will for her, ultimately hoping to bring "biblical principles" back to the U.S. Senate.

"The question is: 'Should it be me? Should it be now?'" she said, before turning to practical matters of fundraising and mudslinging inevitable to a political campaign for state office in a competitive state like Minnesota.

"We're just normal people, we're not money people ... if you're trying to advocate for biblical principles in D.C. and you stick your head up out of that hole, the blades come whirring and they try to chop you off."

Bachmann became a controversial figure both at home and across the country with staunch criticisms of President Obama, as well as several high-profile statements later determined to be false--including assertions that a vaccine for HPV caused developmental disabilities--and her husband's involvement in a gay conversion therapy clinic.

Democrats spent millions in an attempt to unseat her in Minnesota's sixth district, a traditional conservative stronghold that includes St. Cloud and several northern Twin Cities metro suburbs. Her political career ultimately culminated in an unsuccessful run for president in 2012.