Michele Marie Bachmann (born April 6, 1956, in Waterloo, Iowa) is an American politician, lawyer, and former U.S. Congresswoman who represented Minnesota's 6th congressional district from 2007 to 2015. A prominent figure in the Republican Party and a leading voice in the Tea Party movement, she served in the Minnesota State Senate from 2001 to 2006 before winning her congressional seat. Bachmann rose to national prominence through her staunch conservative positions, including advocacy for fiscal conservatism, limited government, strong national security policies, opposition to same-sex marriage, and criticism of government spending. She became known as a vocal critic of Islamism and was vocal on conservative security issues during her political career, along with promoting robust U.S.-Israel alliances and anti-terrorism stances. She led investigations into alleged Muslim Brotherhood infiltration in the U.S. government, promoted conspiracy theories on this topic, and was notably involved in anti-Sharia advocacy and support for anti-Sharia legislation. Before politics, she worked as a tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service and in private practice, and founded a charter school. In 2011, she launched a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2012 election, gaining attention for her strong debate performances but ultimately withdrawing after a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Her presidential bid highlighted her alignment with the Tea Party and her controversial statements, such as questioning President Barack Obama's citizenship and linking the HPV vaccine to mental retardation (which she later clarified as a misstatement). Bachmann is an evangelical Christian and has been involved in religious and conservative advocacy groups. She authored the autobiography 'Core of Conviction: My Story of Moving from Devotion to Doubt to Absolute Surrender' in 2011. Her career has been marked by both achievements and controversies, including allegations of promoting conspiracy theories (such as claims about Sharia law infiltration in the U.S.), criticism for her views on LGBTQ+ issues, and facing ethics investigations, including a 2013 FEC complaint regarding her presidential campaign's use of funds, which was dismissed without charges. Post-Congress, she remains active in conservative circles, speaking at events, advising on policy, engaging in public speaking, writing, and international relations work, including endorsements and appearances supporting conservative causes. Married to Marcus Bachmann since 1975, she has five children and fostered 23 more, residing in Minnesota while continuing to influence Republican discourse on family values, religious liberty, and foreign policy.