Paul Pioneer Press that she had decided to run against Laidig a year earlier.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

Laidig defended the education laws in the State Senate, which made him a target for Bachmann.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

Laidig served as a marine in Vietnam and was elected to the Minnesota House, as a Republican, in 1973.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

The following year, however, she made good on her threat to Laidig.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

According to an article in the Stillwater Gazette, on October 6, 1999, Bachmann was talking about running against Laidig months before she went to the convention.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

But she already had a long history of political activism the Carter and Reagan campaigns, her anti-abortion and education activism, her school-board race and she had been targeting Laidig for a year.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

Laidig had no interest in social issues.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith

Laidig was not so fortunate.

NEWYORKER: Leap of Faith