Bachmann raises more than $2.2 million in first quarter of 2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann's Chief of Staff told MPR News that the Republican congresswoman's political action committee raised $500,000 during the first three months of the year, and that her separate congressional campaign committee collected $1.7 million during the same time, for a total of $2.2 million. Bachmann is considering running for president in 2012. Chief of Staff Andy Parrish told MPR News Bachmann is "encouraged" by the support from hundreds of thousands of people all over the country.

Federal Election Commission rules would allow Bachmann to transfer congressional campaign committee money to a presidential campaign if Bachmann chooses a White House bid over running for another term in the House of Representatives.

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