Meet Jim Graves, Michele Bachmann's Latest Would-Be Challenger

[ellisonz]

A Minneapolis hospitality magnate jumps into the race to be the Democrat to take on the tea party icon this fall.
—By Tim Murphy
| Thu Apr. 12, 2012 3:00 AM PDT

Rep. Michele Bachmann's bid to return to Congress again next January seemed to be going along just fine. She has been blessed with the state's most conservative congressional district (even redder than usual after recent redistricting) and the ability to raise huge sums of money from her national network of devotees. And the former GOP presidential candidate's first two Democratic challengers were earnest but unintimidating—Anne Nolan, an unsuccessful candidate for state representative who cites the Occupy movement as an inspiration, and Brian McGoldrick, a local restaurant owner with no political history.

But the latest entry into the race for the Democratic nomination could shake things up. On Tuesday, Jim Graves, a Minneapolis hotel magnate, announced his intent to take on the tea party ringleader this fall, and he's planning on using his own considerable wealth to become the Democratic nominee and then, if he wins that contest, to pursue Bachmann. And he believes his business experience makes him the Democrats' best shot. But when it comes to policy matters, this political novice is a bit fuzzy.

Bachmann, running for her fourth term, has faced serious challengers in each of her three races in the Republican-leaning sixth district. Her closest brush with defeat came in 2008—due in part to her accusation that House Democrats were anti-American and ought to be investigated. Still, she won that contest by 3 percent with help from a third-party challenger. Graves, though, doesn't think Democrats' past failures have any bearing on his own odds. "We're just, quite frankly, we're not those people." He continued in the royal we: "We're Jim Graves and we're a businessman and we're tenacious and we're tough and ready to go toe to toe, face to face with Michele Bachmann and we'll see how that plays out."

More: http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/04/meet-jim-graves-michele-bachmanns-newest-challenger

I think I'll stick with my endorsement of Anne Nolan for the moment.

[MineralMan]

1. Graves was endorsed at the Congressional District

convention just yesterday. The other two Democrats had agreed not to dispute the endorsement, so it looks like Graves is it for the Democratic side.

I have no idea what his politics are, but it's a conservative district, so I suspect he's more or less a Blue Dog Democrat. If he votes with the Democratic caucus, it will be a plus for the House.

It's going to be tough to beat Bachmann in that district. Very tough. I wish Graves success.

[KoKo]

2. Blue Dogs don't really always vote with the Dem Caucus...and definitely NOT with Progressive Caucus.

So, it sounds like he's a Light Repug. Might even be a full Repug...the way some Blue Dogs Vote, though.

[Daniel537]

3. I still can't believe she won in 2008.

Says a lot about that district. I expect her to win yet again, but damn it would be something Epic if she did lose.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

4. "I still can't believe she won in 2008."

Stupid people want one of their own to lead them!