Pawlenty's political career: A timeline

November 1992: Elected to Minnesota House, from Eagan.

November 1998: Becomes House majority leader after Republicans gain control of House.

April 2001: About to launch an exploratory 2002 U.S. Senate run, gets a call from Vice President Dick Cheney asking him not to take on fellow Republican Norm Coleman. He agrees.

June 2002: After 12 ballots, gains the Republican Party gubernatorial endorsement over rival Brian Sullivan.

November 2002: Wins governor's race over DFLer Roger Moe and Independence Party's Tim Penny.

January 2003: Takes office. GOP holds majority in House; DFL controls Senate.

May 2003: Legislative session ends with Pawlenty holding upper hand over DFLers by balancing a

Summer 2003: Rides out a controversy over past links to a telecommunications company.

January 2004: State launches a website linking Minnesotans to two Canadian pharmacies as part of an initiative by Pawlenty to lower prescription drug costs.

November 2004: DFLers cut GOP House majority to 68-66.

May 2005: Proposes a "health impact fee" on tobacco products to help resolve a budget impasse. Some say that fee is a tax in disguise and that he has gone back on his no-new-taxes pledge. He says it's a "user fee" and a compromise.

July 2005: Partial government shutdown occurs amid continued budget impasse. It ends in mid-month, with health impact fee part of the solution.

August 2007: Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis kills 13 people and injures more than 100.

October 2007: A Star Tribune Minnesota Poll shows Pawlenty's approval rating at 59 percent, highest in four years.

February 2008: Travels to Germany, joining Sen. John McCain, right, and others at a security summit. McCain has all but wrapped up GOP nomination and speculation continues that Pawlenty, who has supported him through good times and bad, may become his running mate.

• With help of six House Republicans, DFL legislative majorities override Pawlenty's veto of a $6.6 billion transportation bill that includes state's first gas tax increase in 20 years.

• Senate ousts Carol Molnau as transportation chief. She remains lieutenant governor.

Aug. 29, 2008: Three days before Republican National Convention opens in St. Paul, McCain picks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, as running mate. Pawlenty praises the choice.

December 2008: State projects massive deficit for July 2009 through June 2011.

January 2009: Pawlenty offers budget plan that includes spending reductions, accounting shifts and a proposal to borrow nearly $1 billion through the sale of bonds.

March 2009: Projected deficit stands at $4.56 billion. It has actually grown, but federal stimulus money cushions the blow.

May 2009: DFL majorities pass a $1 billion tax bill to help deal with deficit. Pawlenty promptly vetoes it. Override attempt fails.

May 19: Legislature adjourns without budget agreement. DFLers pass last-minute budget-balancing bill that again includes tax increases, and Pawlenty again vetoes it.