Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota announced Monday afternoon that he is forming an exploratory committee to run for the Republican presidential nomination.

Pawlenty made the announcement via a web video which was only accessible to people who liked his page on Facebook. In the ad, which lasted less than two minutes, Pawlenty focused on the economy and called for optimism on the economy, showing clips of Ronald Reagan.

Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith, who has held that position since 2007, announced Monday that he will step down from his post in June.

Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux continues to prepare for taking on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012. LeMieux was in Hudson on Thursday, speaking to a Republican organization in Pasco County. During his remarks, LeMieux tried to distance himself from his old ally Gov. Charlie Crist and reassure the audience about his conservative ideals U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who is considering entering the Republican primary field to take on Nelson, continued to brandish his foreign policy credentials.