Pawlenty will announce presidential run Monday

Former governor of Minnesota set to declare his candidacy at a town hall style event in Des Moines, Iowa

Published May 20, 2011 3:30PM (EDT)

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks to local residents during a breakfast meeting at a Pizza Ranch restaurant, Tuesday, May 3, 2011, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (AP)
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks to local residents during a breakfast meeting at a Pizza Ranch restaurant, Tuesday, May 3, 2011, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (AP)

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is running for the GOP presidential nomination and will announce his bid Monday in Iowa.

That's according to an adviser with direct knowledge of the plans. The adviser tells The Associated Press Pawlenty will declare his candidacy at a town hall style event in Des Moines, Iowa. The adviser disclosed the information on condition of anonymity.

Pawlenty will make the announcement in the state with the leadoff nominating caucuses and then head to Florida, New Hampshire, New York and Washington, D.C.

The move was widely expected. The 50-year-old Pawlenty has been laying the groundwork for a run for more than a year. He took the first step in March by setting up an exploratory committee and he has built campaign operations in several key states.


By Brian Bakst

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2012 Elections Republican Party Tim Pawlenty