2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Governor Tim Pawlenty's Statement on Unemployment Report

Governor Tim Pawlenty's Statement on Unemployment Report

"Today's underwhelming job numbers report demonstrates President Obama's failure to address the tough challenges we face as a nation.  We need a leader to stand up and make the difficult choices essential to spur economic growth and create new jobs.  It's clear that serious changes must be implemented to get our economy back on the right track, and I would not shy away from the challenge. By owning up to the hard truths we face, addressing them, and then enacting an aggressive growth plan, we can create jobs and secure a brighter future for America."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Names New Hampshire Staff #tpaw

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Names New Hampshire Staff

MANCHESTER – Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today his Pawlenty for President campaign staff in New Hampshire, led by New Hampshire campaign director Sarah Crawford Stewart.

"We've assembled a New Hampshire team with exceptional experience combined with energy and commitment," Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant said. "Our senior leadership knows New Hampshire and what it takes to build and run successful grassroots campaigns there. With the help of our accomplished campaign team, we will unite Republicans behind Governor Pawlenty's conservative record of success."

Sarah Crawford Stewart – NH Campaign Director

Sarah will be the campaign director of Governor Pawlenty's presidential campaign in New Hampshire.  Sarah has been engaged in New Hampshire politics since 1999 and was the Deputy Campaign Manager for John McCain's 2008 primary campaign that led him to victory in the state.  In June 2010, Sarah was named a consultant to Governor Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC, guiding its efforts in New Hampshire.  She took a leave of absence from b-fresh consulting LLC, a company she co-founded in June 2008, to direct Governor Pawlenty's New Hampshire committee.

Peter Towey – NH Political Director

Born and raised in Minnesota, Peter most recently was the Political Director for the Toomey for Senate campaign in 2010.  Peter served as the Deputy Political Director on the Hackett for Congress campaign in 2008 and the 72 Hour Director on the Ogonowski for Congress campaign in 2007.

Luke Kraus – Field Representative

A New Hampshire native, Luke worked for the Freedom First PAC in New Hampshire in 2010 and has been a volunteer to a number of local campaigns over the years.  While attending American University in Washington, D.C. Luke interned for Senator Judd Gregg and was the President of his College Republicans Chapter. Previously, Luke interned for long-time Executive Councilor Ray Burton in 2009.

Robert Simpson – Field Representative

Most recently, Robert served as a Regional Field Representative on the Linda McMahon for Senate campaign in 2010.  He has also worked for the Republican State House Campaign Committee.  A Connecticut native, Robert interned at the Connecticut General Assembly during college.

Nick Trainer – Field Representative

After graduating from college, Nick worked for the North Carolina Republican party and then on the successful Toomey for Senate campaign as the Philadelphia Field Representative. During college, Nick was an Eisenhower Political Division intern at the Republican National Committee. 

Elissa Voccola – Field Representative

Elissa has worked on numerous federal campaigns in Connecticut over the past few years.  In 2010, she served Caligiuri for Congress campaign in 2010 as its Political Director.  Prior to that, she worked for the Simmons for Senate campaign as Regional Field Representative.  Elissa also serves the Young Republicans as a National Committeewoman.

Erin Lamontagne – Office Manager

A New Hampshire native, Erin has been an active volunteer for Republican campaigns both on the federal and state level.  During the 2010 cycle, she volunteered for Congressman Frank Guinta and Congressman Charlie Bass’ congressional campaigns, Ovide Lamontagne’s primary bid for U.S. Senate and John Stephen’s gubernatorial campaign.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Will Attend Presidential Debate in New Hampshire

Gov. Tim Pawlenty Will Attend Presidential Debate in New Hampshire

Minneapolis – Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today that he will attend the CNN/WMUR-TV/ New Hampshire Union Leader debate in Manchester, New Hampshire on June 13th.                                          

“I look forward to discussing my vision for growing our economy by cutting spending and unleashing America's job creators,” Pawlenty said. "We cannot wait to begin the campaign to defeat President Obama and discuss our records with voters. President Obama's policies have failed, and we need a new leader to tell the hard truths necessary to restore American prosperity. I look forward to sharing my vision and discussing my record in front of first-in-the-nation primary voters.”

Gov. Tim Pawlenty participated in the first GOP presidential debate in Greenville, South Carolina in May.  He announced his candidacy for president last week, and participated in 15 television and radio interviews during the week of his announcement to ensure that people had the opportunity to hear his message.

Ohio Auditor Of State Dave Yost Endorses Governor Tim Pawlenty for President

Yost Endorses Governor Tim Pawlenty for President
Ohio Auditor is first statewide elected officeholder to endorse presidential candidate

Columbus – Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost today endorsed the presidential candidacy of former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  Pawlenty announced his candidacy for president last week.                                                                            
“As governor of Minnesota, Pawlenty ran as a conservative and governed as a conservative in one of the nation's most liberal states. He balanced the state budget without raising taxes and cut taxes by nearly $800 million,” Yost said. "I'm impressed by his courage to tell the truth about the problems facing our nation and offer real solutions."

Pawlenty received an “A” from the Cato Institute in 2010 in its Fiscal Policy Report Card – one of only four governors to receive the highest grade.  He also led a series of market-based reforms to Minnesota’s health care system and passed the nation's first statewide performance-pay for teachers program. Pawlenty’s five appointments to the Minnesota Supreme Court transformed the court from moderate-to-liberal to conservative.

Yost, who served as a county auditor and a county prosecuting attorney before his election as Auditor of State, said Pawlenty is a proven leader.

“Tim Pawlenty is a proven leader, a steadfast conservative and a devoted husband and father. Moreover, his heartland roots will help him to succeed in Ohio, and I believe he is the right person to lead the Republican Party into next year’s critical presidential election.  He is the right person with the right background and experience to be our nation’s next president,” Yost said.

Behind-the-scenes Video At Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Announcement In Des Moines, Iowa May 23, 2011

New Behind-the-Scenes Video of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Announcement in Des Moines, Iowa

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Pawlenty for President campaign released a new video of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from Governor Tim Pawlenty's official campaign announcement in Des Moines, Iowa last week.

The video is available here: http://www.timpawlenty.com/pages/announcement-iowa

Citing his record of tackling tough problems as governor of Minnesota, Gov. Pawlenty promised to tell the hard truths necessary to get America back on the right track.  The 3-minute video features remarks by Former First Lady Mary Pawlenty, interviews with Governor Pawlenty, and comments by Pawlenty aides and supporters at the announcement town hall.

Tim Pawlenty Iowa Schedule May 31 To June 1, 2011 Sioux Center, Le Mars, Sioux City, Council Bluffs

Tim Pawlenty Iowa Schedule May 31, 2011 to June 1, 2011 Sioux Center, Le Mars, Sioux City, Council Bluffs

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 – Iowa

Coffee with Governor Pawlenty

Casey’s Bakery, 251 N Main Ave #301, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250

8:30 AM CDT

Visit to Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop, 26 5th Ave Northwest, Le Mars, Iowa 51031

2:30 PM CDT

Sioux City Town Hall with Governor Pawlenty

Sioux City Public Library, 529 Pierce Street, Sioux City, Iowa 51101

7:00 PM CDT

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 – Iowa

Council Bluffs Town Hall with Governor Pawlenty

Tish’s Restaurant, 1207 South 35th Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501

9:30 AM CDT

Nicole Schlinger Joins Pawlenty Campaign

Nicole Schlinger Joins Pawlenty Campaign

URBANDALE – Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced today that Nicole Schlinger, recognized as the leading Republican fundraising professional in Iowa and one of the state’s top organizers, has joined his presidential campaign.

Schlinger founded Campaign Headquarters in 1999 to provide candidates with professional fundraising and event management services.  The firm, based in Brooklyn, Iowa, has grown to provide high-quality live telephone voter contact services to conservative candidates, initiatives, and causes nationwide.

Schlinger is the most prolific political fundraiser in Iowa Republican history for candidates ranging from city council members to governors. She was also the Straw Poll Director for Mitt Romney’s victorious 2007 Iowa Presidential Straw Poll campaign.

Prior to founding Campaign Headquarters, Schlinger served as Finance Director of the Republican Party of Iowa. She is a 1995 summa cum laude graduate of Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and policy studies.

“What speaks volumes to me about Nicole Schlinger’s professionalism and record of results is her favorite quote, ‘I’m going to succeed. The only question is whether or not you’re coming along for the ride.’ She knows the ride called the Iowa caucuses as well as anyone in the country,” Pawlenty said. “I appreciate her decision to join our campaign for the presidency and take the ride with us.”

Governor Tim Pawlenty Iowa Schedule, Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011, Waukee, Boone, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Governor Tim Pawlenty Iowa Schedule, Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011, Waukee, Boone, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Monday, May 30, 2011 – Iowa

Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Dallas County Young Republican and Rep. Ralph Watts

Point of Grace Church, 305 Northeast Dartmoor Drive, Waukee, Iowa 50263

9:30 AM CDT

NOTE: Governor Pawlenty will deliver remarks at 10:00 AM CDT.

Meet and Greet with Governor Tim Pawlenty

Pizza Ranch, 1703 S. Story Avenue, Boone, Iowa 50036

2:00 PM CDT

Meet and Greet Cookout with Governor Tim Pawlenty

Webster County GOP Headquarters, 900 Central Avenue, Ft. Dodge, Iowa 50501

5:30 PM CDT

Governor Tim Pawlenty Unveils Florida Finance Team

Governor Tim Pawlenty Unveils Florida Finance Team

MINNEAPOLIS – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that four prominent Floridians with a breadth of national political and financial experience will anchor his team in Florida.

Pawlenty announced that Phil Handy will serve as his Florida State Chairman, as well as a National Finance Co-Chairman of Pawlenty for President.

“I look forward to working with Phil throughout our campaign, and am grateful for his support” Pawlenty said. “We are fortunate to have his experience and credibility and will be a key member of our team.  He brings years of experience to the table as a leader in business, and in the field of education policy."

Handy has been a powerful fixture in Florida politics for years, serving as Jeb Bush’s gubernatorial campaign state chairman in 1994 and 1998 and a co-chairman in 2002. He has been engaged in private equity for the past 30 years and is based in Orlando. Until January 2007, he served for six years as Chairman of the Florida State Board of Education, a seven-person board appointed by Governor Jeb Bush with constitutional responsibility for Florida’s public educational system with over 4 million students.  Mr. Handy was appointed twice by President George W. Bush to the Senate confirmable position as Vice Chairman of the National Board of Education Sciences.  In 2008, Handy served as Senator John McCain's Florida Chairman & National Co-chairman.

Additionally, Pawlenty announced that Justin Sayfie will serve as a Florida Co-Chair of his campaign.  “Justin's reputation as a skilled communicator and business leader is well known in Florida politics. He's a true rising star, and I'm grateful for his support."

Sayfie is a founding shareholder of Blosser & Sayfie, and publisher of SayfieReview.com, one of Florida's top news websites. Prior to co-founding Blosser & Sayfie in August 2001, Justin worked as a senior policy advisor, spokesman and chief speechwriter for Governor Jeb Bush.  Justin was a Ranger in the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, and served as Vice-Chair for the Florida Republican Party Victory campaign in 2006. In June 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Justin to the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, where he served until 2009.

These appointments also follow the naming of Ann Herberger as the Pawlenty campaign’s National Senior Finance Advisor and Gretchen Picotte as the Florida Finance Director.

Herberger came to Florida in 1997 to raise money for Jeb Bush's successful campaign for Governor and has raised money for the Governor and Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush in various capacities over the past 15 years. Herberger is the President of The Woods Herberger Group, Inc., a fundraising consulting business whose client list has included the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Florida, the Republican Governors Association, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, International Republican Institute, Bush-Cheney 2000/2004, Romney for President, Inc. and McCain-Palin Victory 2008.

Picotte has over 15 years of fundraising experience working in Florida politics. Most recently, Picotte was an integral member of the fundraising team for Governor Rick Scott, which raised over $50 million in the 2010 election cycle. During the 2008 Presidential Election, she served as Florida Finance Director for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee. She also worked for Team McCain 2008.

Statement by Governor Pawlenty on the Supreme Court's Immigration Ruling

Statement by Governor Pawlenty on the Supreme Court's Immigration Ruling

“I applaud the United States Supreme Court in upholding Arizona’s right to do what the Federal government has failed to do and confront the problem of illegal immigration. President Obama broke his promise to address illegal immigration, leaving states and businesses in an untenable situation. As governor, I took aggressive steps towards better enforcement of illegal immigration, but ultimately we need a President who will be serious about fixing America's immigration system.

"I also am pleased that Justice Elena Kagen properly recused herself from participating in this ruling because of her previous position as President Obama's Solicitor General, a precedent she must also follow when Obamacare is presented before the court."