Having officially announced his Presidential bid, former Minnesota gov. Tim Pawlenty is already making campaign stops ā first in Iowa, and later in Florida.
Pawlenty announced his candidacy in a video released Sunday night, in which he said the country was in need of a courageous leader.
We need a President who understands that our problems are deep, and who has the courage to face them. President Obama doesnāt. I do. Tomorrow, my first campaign stop will be in Iowa and thatās where Iām going to begin a campaign that tells the American people the truth. Iām Tim Pawlenty, and Iām running for President of the United States.
Pawlenty is slated to appear in Iowa today, to announce his candidacy in person. According to the Palm Beach Postās blog, he will be in Tampa tonight, for a fund-raiser. On Tuesday, he will be inĀ Coral Gables, for a Facebook town hall.
Pawlentyās political action committee, Freedom First, made donations to several high-profile FloridaĀ Republican candidates during the midterm elections, including Reps.Ā Allen West andĀ David Rivera.
In February, he visited lawmakers in Tallahassee. He emphasized the need to reduce government spending, and alsoĀ criticized former Florida gov. Charlie Crist for his veto of the highly controversial teacher merit pay bill. Gov. Rick Scott later signed a modified version of that bill into law.
During the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, Pawlenty stumped for Scott in Naples, saying he had ācredibilityā because of his extensive business experience.
Another likely Presidential contender, Rick Santorum, will also be making appearances in Florida this week. The former Pennsylvania SenatorĀ is scheduled toĀ headline a dinner Tuesday night in St. Johns County and another Wednesday in Sarasota.
