Former state Rep. Tom Emmer is expected to announce on Wednesday evening that he is seeking GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann’s seat, according to local reports.

Emmer, a Republican who waged an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in Minnesota in 2010, is the first GOP hopeful to announce his candidacy in the 6th District race since Bachmann announced her retirement last week.

Republican operatives in the Gopher State widely mentioned Emmer’s name as a potential successor to Bachmann, whose retirement will likely lead to a crowded GOP primary next year.

With Bachmann out, followed by Democratic candidate Jim Graves’ exit from the contest last week, the seat is likely to stay in Republican hands this cycle.

(See also in Roll Call: The Bachmann District: When a Retirement Changes Everything)

Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call rates this race as Republican Favored.