Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty Officially Announces He's Forming Presidential Exploratory Committee

Eagan resident and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a special announcement on his Facebook page today at 2 p.m. stating that he's going to be forming a presidential exploratory committee.

An exploratory committee is the first step a candidate makes before vying for presidency. Duties of the committee often times include polling, traveling and telephone calls to find out whether someone should be a candidate.

According to an article on the Star Tribune's website, "While many candidates form exploratory committees to create will-they-or-won’t-they-buzz, Pawlenty is not going to hide his intentions, a source said. Pawlenty is in, the source said."

In Pawlenty's announcement video, he states, "At a young age, I saw upclose the face of challenge, the face hardship and the face of jobloss. Over the last year, I've traveled to nearly every state in the country, and I know many Americans are feeling that way today. I know that feeling, I lived it. But there is a brighter future for America. We know what we need to do: grow jobs, limit government spending and tackle entitlements..."

Pawlenty served as a member of the Eagan City Council in 1990, 1991 and 1992 when now-Dakota County Commissioner Tom Egan was mayor. Pawlenty was also the treasurer for the Citizen's Committee that lead to the successful referendum to get approved funding for the Eagan Community Center.

Pawlenty was elected to the House of Representatives in the early 90s and has served two terms as governor of Minnesota beginning in 2002.

To watch Pawlenty's announcement video click on the attached YouTube video.