Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty Wednesday declined to weigh in on the Florida U.S. Senate race between Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio.

Rubio is darling of the conservative Tea Party; Crist is seen as more moderate and embrace President Obama's stimulus package.

Pawlenty is headed to Florida Monday for a Republican Governors Association fundraiser.

Asked if he'd made a choice between Crist and Rubio, Pawlenty said: "I have not."

Asked if he would, Pawlenty said: "I don't know."

For Pawlenty, wading into the heated Republican primary race would have risks and rewards. A nod to Rubio would get Pawlenty plaudits from fiscal conservatives; a nod to Crist would support a fellow Republican governor.

Question: Can Pawlenty continue his neutrality?