Tim Pawlenty is expected to announce his candidacy for governor of Minnesota Thursday afternoon, according to CNBC.
Pawlenty, who served as Minnesota governor for two terms before running for president in 2012, is running to replace retiring Democratic incumbent Gov. Mark Dayton, who has held the office for the past seven years.
After losing the Republican nomination for president, Pawlenty went on to co-chair former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s campaign before going on to lead the Financial Services Roundtable, a Washington lobbying group whose members include American Express and Wells Fargo.
Pawlenty resigned his role as head of the financial services lobbying group in February as speculation began to mount of a potential third run for governor.
As a former two-term governor of the state and presidential candidate with support from business leaders, Pawlenty is in a position to run a competitive campaign.
“Pawlenty is a huge addition to the Republican efforts across the map this fall. Specifically in Minnesota, Pawlenty’s entrance to the race is the type of game changer Republicans need,” a Republican strategist who spoke anonymously told CNBC.
