Posted on 04/06/2018 5:12:34 AM PDT by ChicagoConservative27
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he is running for governor Thursday, attempting a restoration after eight years out of office that saw his DFL successor move the state in a more progressive direction at odds with Pawlenty’s tenure.
Pawlenty, a longtime Eagan resident, served two four-year terms beginning in 2003. The South St. Paul native built an image of a hockey-playing “Sam’s Club Republican” who could win suburban, middle-class voters in a Democratic-leaning state.
“My campaign for governor will focus on charting a better way forward for Minnesota families who see health care premiums skyrocketing, paychecks not increasing very fast, college costs and student debt rising — all while government spending and taxes climb through the roof,” Pawlenty said in a two-minute video released Thursday.
A comeback won’t be easy. Pawlenty’s long public record and most recent job as a bank lobbyist will give his opponents ammunition. And he must win over a Republican Party now led by President Donald Trump, who is fervently supported by the GOP base but was trashed by Pawlenty before the 2016 election as “unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit” for office.
Still, Pawlenty’s entry shakes up the open governor’s race, scrambling a GOP field thus far marked by a lack of enthusiasm among activists and financial donors. Gov. Mark Dayton is not running after his two terms, and the DFL field to replace him is unsettled.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
He’s about 100 years younger than Gov. Jerry Brown, so there IS that.
If he can win statewide why is he skipping both senate seats?
And now gives up our good chance at a senate seat with 2 races in November.
It is the Senate that would add to his resume at this point, so he must have a reason. As simple as not wanting to be in DC any longer? There’s probably more to it than that.
The republican that ran four years ago had the worst campaign I have ever seen. It was basically his kids saying he is a really nice guy. Complete wuss.
Maybe they could borrow Trumps brass balls for a day to see how it works.
No, work on your golf swing. Why do I smell the Koch brothers the CoC, and other swampian creatures behind this. Who are they trying to thwart, a possible Trmpian candidate like Michelle Bachmann if she throws her hat in the ring? Now they try to stack anti-Trumpsters at the state level,clever, but they still suck IMHO.
Please, clap.
He was a fairly good governor despite having to put up with Democrat control of both houses. The DFL [i.e. Democrats] like to accuse GOP leaders of problems that were caused by the Democrats. Pawlenty was primarily trying to keep the state afloat throughout his 2 terms.
I like Jeff Johnson, but it is true that none of the other candidates seem to be catching fire, and are not well known. It is an unfortunate fact that having a well-known name can be an asset when on the ballot.
Maybe he doesn’t want to live in Washington DC. Who could blame him.
Pawlenty is mehhh and was critical of Trump but at least he didn’t pull a Romney and Jeb and outright refuse to support him, and while governor he held the line against DFL majorities. His primary opponent, Jeff Johnson, ran a dismal campaign 4 years ago and lost a winnable race against Governor “mumbles”. I can tolerate Pawlenty—GOP does better here in governor races than senate races.
As a senate candidate he would’ve more outside efforts going against him. Minnesota is small town.
Do you live in MN? Think he has a shot?
Please look at things broadly. A Republican is a big win for Minnesota. Governors have pardon power, appointment power, and power to accept or reject refugees. Electing a Republican helps for 2020. If Republicans can win statewide offices, Minnesotans have more freedom from socialism. If I were there, I would work hard to get these Republicans elected, not complain because we don’t agree on 100% of the issues. I think he could win the governorship, and I’m glad he’s running. We need to stop having this all or nothing attitude. It’s how we got two terms of the previous administration. I’d recommend Minnesotans start organizing to help his campaign.
I did for over 20 years and while Tim was Governor. He is , in my opinion, a RINO and pro global warming nut. Even though he is a nice man with a decent sense of humor, His national ambitions are lackluster at best.
Gov Dayton (former Senator with NO Friends) stated that if you didn’t like the high taxes and socialist way the government was headed to pack up and leave Minnesota, so that is what I did.
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