Republican Candidate
Tim Pawlenty
Born:
November 27, 1960 (St. Paul, Minn.)
Spouse:
Mary Pawlenty
Religion:
Lutheran
Background:
- Governor of Minnesota, 2003-2011
- Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1999-2003
- Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1993-2003
Of all the potential Republican nominees, Pawlenty is eager to sell himself as the one most capable of uniting social and economic conservatives.
Pawlenty, or "T-Paw" as he is known by supporters, was twice elected governor in Democratic-leaning Minnesota. He managed to eliminate a $4.3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes and is opposed to abortion rights, gay marriage and stem cell research.
Despite being on John McCain's short list for vice president in 2008, Pawlenty lacks strong name recognition nationally.
Critics also say he lacks charisma, a charge Pawlenty has sought to address with the release of a recent memoir touting his blue-collar Minnesota upbringing. That push to highlight his biography has been paired with more fiery rhetoric on the stump and in flashy highly produced Hollywood-style campaign videos.
