Bachmann gets new campaign manager, NRA endorsement

Posted at 11:03 AM on October 3, 2008 by Tim Pugmire (2 Comments)

There's been a leadership change inside the re-election campaign of Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.

Bachmann's congressional chief of staff, Michelle Marston, is now in Minnesota's 6th district, working as campaign manager. She replaces Brandon Lerch, who was previously the press secretary for Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.

Marston says she's on a leave of absence from her Washington duties through the end of the campaign. As for Lerch, Marston would only say that he "has moved on."

Meanwhile, Bachmann has received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). In a campaign news relelase, Bachmann said she was proud to have earned the endorsement.

"It's been an honor to support Minnesota's strong sportsmen's heritage and to preserve the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Congress," Bachmann said.

The news release also quotes Chuck Cunningham, NRA Director of Federal Affairs, saying that Bachmann's solidly pro-gun/pro-hunting voting record in Congress, as well as her responses to a federal candidate questionnaire, earned her an 'A' rating.

Update: The campaign of Bachmann's DFL challenger, Elwyn Tinklenberg, reminds us that their candidate also received an 'A' rating from the NRA. Tinklenberg's rating was reported here earlier.

Comments (2)

Elwyn Tinklenberg, endorsed by the DFL and Independence Party in the Sixth District, also received a "A" rating from the National Rifle Association.

Posted by Susan Rego | October 3, 2008 1:28 PM

At least the Bachmann campaign is being up front about Marston's duties. She's been handling campaign calls for the past couple of weeks, while also ostensibly serving as Bachmann chief of staff. And who needs a chief of staff in your congressional office when you're campaigning 24/7 anyway?

Posted by Karl | October 3, 2008 1:37 PM

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