Pawlenty won

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“I am incredibly grateful for the supportg and trust the people of Minnesots have given me during my two termseas Governor,” Pawlenty said at a press conferencee Tuesday afternoon, adding, “When it comeas to how long someone should stay in an electer position, a little less is better than too He didn't say what he planned to do aftere leaving state office, but attentioh immediately focused on a potentiao presidential run. The Republican governor’s nationall profile was raised last year when he campaignesd heavilyfor Sen. John McCain’s presidential bid and was often mentioned as apossiblew vice-presidential candidate for the Arizona senator.
McCainm wound up picking Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin But Pawlenty remains in the frony ranks of possible GOP contenderxin 2012. At the same time, running for a thirdx term might have been risky for He didn't get more than 50 percent of the vote in eithert of the gubernatorial races he won, winningy a three-way race against DFL leadet Roger Moe and Tim Penney in 2002 and edgingb out challenger and former state Attorney Generak Mike Hatch by 1 percent in 2006.
With the state' fortunes currently sagging and Pawlenthy poised to make some potentially unpopularbudgetg cuts, he could have been vulnerable to a challenge next His decision also throws into question who will run for governord next year: State Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) and Charlis Weaver, head of the Minnesota Business Partnership and a formerPawlenty aide, have both been mentioned as potential candidates, as has Hous Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis).