That was fast. Michele Bachmann dropped out of the race for House Republican Conference chair Wednesday night, throwing her support behind Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). Hensarling is rumored to be backed by at least 100 House Republicans, including the expected majority leader, Eric Cantor (R-VA)—though some prominent Republicans, including Rep. Steve King (R-IA), had supported Bachmann. The conservative leader, founder of the Tea Party caucus, said she would advance that group’s ideals through the caucus. She also said she hopes to bring some of the freshman representatives into the caucus as well.
