Rice University experts available to discuss Tim Pawlenty entering presidential race

CONTACT: David Ruth
PHONE: 713-348-6327
EMAIL: druth@rice.edu

Rice University experts available to discuss Tim Pawlenty entering presidential race
Pawlenty is expected to announce on Monday that he is running for the Republican nomination

Rice University political scientist Mark Jones and historian Douglas Brinkley are available to comment on former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty expected announcement Monday that he will seek the Republican Party nomination for president.

Pawlenty will be the fourth Republican to formally declare his candidacy, joining former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. Several other potential candidates are waiting in the wings.

“With a reputation as a pragmatic moderate of a state that generally votes Democrat in presidential elections, Pawlenty would represent a credible threat to President Obama’s re-election chances,” said Jones, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at the Baker Institute for Public Policy. “It remains to be seen however if Pawlenty will be able to gain the support of conservative Republican primary voters as well as raise his profile to the national level. The two-term former governor of Minnesota will compete with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels for the moderate and pragmatic Republican vote.”

“Through the process of elimination, Tim Pawlenty has emerged as a low-key conservative from a swing state,” said Brinkley, professor of history and fellow in the Baker Institute for Public Policy. “And because of the proximity of Minnesota, he could play well in Iowa.”

To speak with Jones or Brinkley, contact David Ruth at 713-348-6327 or druth@rice.edu.