Via timpawlenty.com/
Via timpawlenty.com/
loading...

Party: Republican

Governor Bio:

Tim Pawlenty’s top priority as Minnesota’s next Governor will be to put Minnesotans – who are working hard and getting squeezed – first. It’s a better way forward.

The proud son of a truck driver whose mom died when he was 16, Tim Pawlenty grew up in a working-class family in South St. Paul. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college, working his way through the University of Minnesota.

He was elected Governor in 2002 during tough economic times. But he balanced Minnesota’s budget by making tough choices and holding government accountable.

As Governor, his education, healthcare, veterans and energy initiatives were widely viewed as among the most innovative in the nation. When Tim Pawlenty was Governor, Minnesota finished #1 in the nation in ACT scores and ranked among the top three states in student math and science education.

He increased education funding and cut state government waste. He held spending increases to the lowest level in 40 years.

Minnesotans re-elected him to a second term in 2006.

After leaving public office, he served as the leader of The Financial Services Roundtable.

And now he’s running for Governor because Minnesota faces new and difficult challenges in a changing economy. He’s focused on addressing health care costs, holding state government accountable, creating pathways to good-paying jobs through modern career and technical education, and tackling the opioid crisis.

Tim Pawlenty has the strength and experience to solve problems and bring us together to get important things done.

Tim and his wife, Mary, have two adult daughters. Tim and Mary have lived in the same home for nearly 25 years and have lived in Eagan for 30 years.

Lieutenant Governor Bio: 

Michelle Fischbach is recognized as an innovative and groundbreaking leader. She was the first woman in Minnesota history to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate. With her experience as a legislator from Greater Minnesota, she knows how to solve problems and get things done for Minnesotans.

Michelle was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996, representing portions of Benton and Stearns Counties. She is now serving as Lt. Governor, being elevated to that position following the resignation of the previous Lt. Governor.

Michelle is committed to a strong education system. During the four years she served as Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee she championed legislation to help lower- and middle-income families receive financial aid to afford college and career training.

Michelle has been a strong supporter of our military and first responders. In 2013, Fischbach authored legislation to rename an 11-mile portion of State Highway 23 for Cold Spring Police Officer Tom Decker who was killed in the line of duty. In 2017, she also sponsored legislation to rename a different section of State Highway 23 for Kenneth L. Olson who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for throwing himself upon a grenade in 1968, sacrificing his own life, while saving his fellow soldiers.

Michelle has a B.A. from St. Cloud State University and earned a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.  She and her husband Scott live in Paynesville and have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Your key platforms:

No comment provided - learn more here.

What’s one thing you want the Rochester community to know about you?

No comment provided.

More From KROC-AM