Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will formally announce he will seek
the Republican nomination for president Monday during a swing in Iowa,
his campaign said.
Pawlenty's anticipated announcement in Des Moines will kick off a
multistate campaign stump that includes stops in Florida, New Hampshire,
New York and Washington, CNN reported Friday.
His formal entry was expected. Pawlenty was the first of the major GOP
White House contenders to form a presidential exploratory committee,
filing papers with the Federal Election Commission March 21.
Pawlenty announced in the summer of 2009 he would not seek a third
gubernatorial term in 2010, tipping off his political aspirations for
higher office. Pawlenty soon became visible at major conservative
Republican events and spoke out against the Obama administration. He
also became vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas previously announced their candidacies.
Source: UPI
Tim Pawlenty to announce GOP presidential bid
May 20, 2011, 12:40 by R.E. Christian