Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty, known affectionately as “T-Paw,” was a two-term governor of Minnesota and is one of the leading voices in the Republican Party. He was also a candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination for president and co-chair of Mitt Romney for President. Currently, Pawlenty is the CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable. He shares insider stories from the campaign trail and conveys thoughtful approaches to the most pressing public policy issues of our time, all with clarity and an upbeat energy. Pawlenty can also do in-depth policy analysis for healthcare, education, fiscal issues, agriculture, and other topics.

Governor Pawlenty used innovative and conservative leadership to balance Minnesota’s budget, cut spending, reform health care, and improve schools without raising taxes. Due to his leadership, Minnesota had nation-leading health care, high school test scores, and a prosperous economy. Pawlenty has also played an active role in international affairs and foreign policy. He made five trips to Iraq, three to Afghanistan, two to Kosovo, and one to Bosnia – all in support of American troops. In support of Minnesotan businesses, he also led trade missions around the world, including missions to China, India, Israel, Chile, Brazil, Poland, the Czech Republic, Japan, and Canada.

After being elected governor in 2002, Pawlenty represented the interests of more than five million citizens and was responsible for a $50 billion biennial budget, more than 30,000 employees, and over 30 agencies and departments. As Minnesota’s chief executive officer, Pawlenty also balanced the budget every year – erasing a deficit of $4.3 billion – and cut taxes by nearly $800 million. This moved Minnesota out of the top 10 highest-taxed states – a goal of every Minnesota governor for more than 30 years. After his governorship, Tim Pawlenty authored the book, Courage to Stand, which covers his reflections on leadership, public service, and policy, explaining how he successfully governed his left-leaning state.