2012 Watch: Pawlenty won’t run for reelection
This will undoubtedly fuel the 2012 presidential speculation. Reid Wilson has the story:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will announce Tuesday he will not seek a third term in office, sources close to his decision have told The Hill.
Pawlenty will make an official announcement of his plans at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. His office did not return phone calls seeking confirmation.
Pawlenty will not rule out a White House bid, sources say.
A two-term Republican governor of an increasingly Democratic state, Pawlenty is one of a few mentioned frequently as potential White House contenders in 2012. He represents a more centrist approach, though he has recently carved out a niche for himself by single-handidly closing a budget gap over the objections of Democrats in the state legislature.
But Pawlenty has also been an outspoken advocate for a new approach for the GOP. He has repeatedly spoken of appealing to what he calls Sam’s Club voters, independents more focused on pocketbook issues than on divisive social issues.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
