Tim Pawlenty

Guide Note

Tim Pawlenty is the 39th Governor of Minnesota. His name has come up on the short list of potential running mates for Republican presidential hopeful John McCain.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 27, 1960 in St. Paul, Minnesota
2. Assumed office: January 6, 2003
3. Party: Republican
4. Spouse: Mary Pawlenty
5. Alma mater: University of Minnesota
6. Previous occupation: Lawyer
7. Chairman of the National Governors Association

Pawlenty, a high school hockey player, earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota. He was a labor law attorney until entering politics as an Eagan City Council Member.

Pawlenty joined the Minnesota House of Representatives in the mid-1990s. After briefly considering a run at the Senate, he ran for Governor in 2002. He won, and was re-elected in 2006 in a narrow victory. In 2007, Pawlenty became John McCain's campaign co-chairman.