About Governor Tim Pawlenty

TIM PAWLENTY was first elected governor in 2002, with the state facing a $4.5 billion budget deficit—the largest in state history. Just months after Pawlenty took office, the legislature adopted his plan to eliminate the deficit without raising taxes. In 2005 and 2007, Governor Pawlenty balanced the state budget again without raising taxes.

Besides bringing Minnesota from historic budget crisis to financial security, Pawlenty fought for and oversaw passage of a dramatic overhaul and improvement of the state's education standards; a significant increase in K-12 education spending along with a nation-leading teacher performance pay program; health care reforms that led to a zero percent premium increase in the state insurance program; significant welfare reform; a range of new government efficiency initiatives; creation of a nation-leading prescription drug website; and a doubling of the state's ethanol standard to increase use of renewable fuels and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Pawlenty grew up in South St. Paul, Minnesota. The only child in his family to graduate from college, he attended the University of Minnesota and practiced law in the private sector. His public service career includes serving as a criminal prosecutor, Eagan City Councilmember, and ten-year member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, including four years as House Majority Leader.

Pawlenty serves as Chair of the National Governors Association and on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, the Achieve Inc. Board of Directors, and the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute Board of Directors. He is former Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association and is a former chair of the Governors Ethanol Coalition.

Pawlenty and his wife Mary have two daughters.