Pawlenty campaign sets fundraising record

Last update: January 30, 2008 - 9:34 PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's reelection campaign pulled in more than $850,000 last year, more than he has ever raised during a year when he wasn't on the ballot.

Pawlenty's political operation ended the year with $375,000 in the bank, after spending $648,000 on items including fundraising and radio ads that opposed tax increases proposed by legislative Democrats, according to a summary released Wednesday by the campaign. About 14,000 people donated.

Pawlenty set a spending record for a Minnesota gubernatorial campaign in 2006, when he spent nearly $4 million and won a second term.

Campaign finance reports show that he raised almost $3.4 million that year. In non-election years, his previous fundraising high mark was $811,000 in 2005.

The Republican governor's current term runs through 2010. He is expected to decide whether to run again late this year.

"He has not ruled out a third term yet, and he's continuing to raise like he will run," political director Trisha Hamm said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.

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