Gov. Tim Pawlenty is backing Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell, the Tea Party maverick who shocked the political establishment with her upset win over the establishment-backed candidate in the Republican primary.
"Of course Governor Pawlenty is supporting the Republican nominee, Christine O'Donnell, in the Delaware Senate race this fall," said Alex Conant, spokesman for Pawlenty's Freedom First political action committee. "Electing conservatives like her to the Senate will send a message to Washington and help stop out-of-control spending in Congress."
O'Donnell has sparked a firestorm of interest and debate within the GOP since her she rode the Tea Party to victory over Rep. Mike Castle, who was supposed to have a lock on the Delaware Senate seat.
With Sarah Palin's backing, O'Donnell has captured the Tea Party's energy, but some conservatives have voiced concerns over her finances, anti-masturbation views, and for having "dabbled in witchcraft."
Former Bush adviser Karl Rove got into a heated argument with Fox News host Sean Hannity about her "checkered background," saying O'Donnell's primary victory cost the Republicans a Senate seat. "There were a lot of nutty things she has been saying that don't add up," Rove said.
Pawlenty is not the alone among potential presidential candidates outside of Palin to back O'Donnell: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's gave her campaign $5,000 last week through his PAC.
Unlike Romney, Pawlenty's PAC has not made a contribution to O'Donnell's campaign.
