A recent report in the Washington, D.C., publication Roll Call speculated about potential Republican candidates in the special Senate race to replace Al Franken and take on newly appointed U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.

The article states flatly: "GOP Rep. Tom Emmer is interested."

There's no evident sourcing, so it's hard to know where this is coming from, but I talked to Emmer's chief of staff, David FitzSimmons, last week. He told me Emmer is happy where he is in the House.

And he should be. Emmer represents Minnesota's safest Republican district, which he won in 2016 by a nearly 2-to-1 lead.

Emmer has a coveted spot on the influential Financial Services Committee. While his flashy re-election numbers show he pays close attention to the folks back home, Emmer also has pursued some idiosyncratic policy ventures, like trade with Cuba and the formation of a congressional Somalia caucus.

Although top DFLers certainly fear Emmer's ability to win a statewide race for governor or senator, staying in the House also offers Emmer the chance for advancement. More than a dozen House Republicans have announced their retirements. More are sure to follow. And all signs point to a few losing in November.

That means Emmer will win seniority and move closer to a committee chairmanship if the Republicans maintain their majority. If they go into the minority, he'll be even more senior when the pendulum swings back.

As the window rapidly closes, Emmer's understandable reluctance to risk his safe House seat for an uncertain Senate race points up the problem Republicans continue to encounter as they try to recruit for 2018: Smart pols know when to take risks.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the last Minnesota Republican to win a statewide race, is also being heavily recruited to run for Senate. He'd be giving up his Wall Street lobbying job — he made $2.6 million in 2015.

Is 2018 a good year for a Republican to take a risk?

Return of the Bach?

Then there's Michele Bachmann. The former congresswoman has kept a relatively low profile since not running for re-election in 2014, but last week she sent the internet abuzz over comments she made on the "Jim Bakker Show."

"The question is, should it be me? Should it be now?" she asked.

J. Patrick Coolican • 651-925-5042 patrick.coolican@startribune.com Twitter: @jpcoolican