UPDATED: Democrat to run in Bachmann’s district

El Tinklenberg has buttered some bread for a second shot at Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), but he’ll have to get through a primary first.

Former University of Minnesota Board of Regents Chairwoman and 2006 Independence Party lieutenant governor nominee Dr. Maureen Reed announced Wednesday that she will seek both the Democratic and Independence Party nods for Bachmann’s seat.

“We create a bright future when we put rhetoric aside, focus on the real problems, and work hard together,” Reed said. “This is exactly what I’ve done all my life.”

Tinklenberg is almost sure to try again, but Reed could pose a significant threat. Not all in the Democratic establishment are thrilled with how Tinklenberg finished in 2008, after several majorly divisive statements from Bachmann opened the door to defeating her and flooded Tinklenberg’s campaign coffers with money from across the country.

Gabby Adler, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), praised Reed’s entry.

“The people of the 6th district are fed up with Michele Bachmann, and are looking for a strong candidate like Maureen Reed who reflects their values and will fight to protect jobs, make health care more affordable, and promote local economic growth,” Adler said.

Reed and her gubernatorial running mate, Peter Hutchinson, took just 6 percent of the vote, but Democrats aren’t discounting her early in the process.

Her history with the Independence Party could be a bonus if she’s able to secure both its and the Democratic party’s nominations. Bachmann was held to just 46 percent of the vote last year, but an Independence Party candidate took another 10 percent, leaving Tinklenberg three points shy.

UPDATE: In an interview, Reed declined to say whether she would continue to run if she got the Independence Party nod and someone else got the Democratic nod.

“My intention is to get them both, and I don’t even want to get into hypotheticals,” she said.

-Aaron Blake