Trivia

Republican Governor of the State of Minnesota (USA) (January 6, 2003 - January 3, 2011).

Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives (January 3, 1999 - January 3, 2003).

Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (January 3, 1993 - January 3, 2003).

Father of Mara and Anna.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1983 with a B.A. in political science and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1986. While in law school, he met his future wife, Mary Anderson. After their marriage, they settled in Eagan, Minnesota.

2012 GOP presidential candidate.

Withdrew from the 2012 presidential race [August 15, 2011].

Co-chair of Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

Succeeded Jesse Ventura as governor.

His paternal grandparents, John Frank Pawlenty and Rosalia Catherine Lashinski, were of Polish descent. His maternal grandparents, John Oldenburg and Edna Luedke, were of German ancestry.