Tim Pawlenty

Timothy James "Tim" Pawlenty is an American politician who served as the 39th Governor of Minnesota (2003–2011). He was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2012 election. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives (1993–2003) where he served two terms as majority leader.Pawlenty was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota and raised in nearby South St. Paul. He graduated from University of Minnesota with a B.A. in political science and earned a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. His early career included working as a labor law attorney and the vice president of a software company. After settling in the city of Eagan with his wife, Pawlenty was appointed to the city's Planning Commission and was elected to the Eagan City Council at the age of 28. He won a seat as a state representative in 1992, representing District 38B in suburban Dakota County. He was re-elected four times, and voted majority leader by House Republicans in 1998.He won a narrow Republican primary in 2002 followed by a three-way election for Governor of Minnesota. His platform focused on balancing the budget without raising taxes. He was re-elected in 2006 by a margin of less than one percent. Pawlenty eliminated his state's budget deficit using spending cuts and borrowing heavily from earmarked funds. His administration advocated for numerous public works projects, including work on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, and the construction of Target Field, a Major League Baseball stadium in Minneapolis. He signed a bill mandating 20% ethanol in gasoline by 2013. He cut health care spending to help balance the budget, and signed an executive order rejecting federal funds related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He led worldwide trips for business leaders and trade delegations to explore trade opportunities. In 2007 and 2008 he served as chairman of the National Governors Association.Pawlenty was rumored as a contender for president as early as 2005, and was closely involved with U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign in 2008. Pawlenty began early steps toward a run in late 2009. He formally announced his presidential campaign in May 2011, running on a strongly conservative platform.