Possible 2012 GOP Hopeful Tim Pawlenty Backing Florida Republicans

With buzz growing that he intends to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota headed to the Sunshine State on Tuesday to back GOP candidates in Novembers elections.

While campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, Pawlenty announced that he was endorsing eight congressional candidates. Through his Freedom First PAC, Pawlenty backed incumbent U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and current U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart who is running for the seat currently held by his brother Lincoln. Pawlenty also backed Steve Southerland, former House Speaker Dan Webster, Allen West and Rep. Sandy Adams of Oviedo, who are all challenging Democratic incumbents. Pawlenty backed former Republican candidate former Rep. Dennis Ross for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, the Republican nominee for state agricultural and consumer services commissioner. The Minnesota governor also backed Rep. David Rivera of Miami for the seat that Diaz-Balart is vacating.

Federal spending is out of control and the only way to stop it is by electing common-sense candidates,said Pawlenty. This fall, Florida voters will send a message that weve had enough. Each of these candidates will work to restore fiscal discipline and the pro-growth policies that America needs. Im proud to endorse them.

Earlier in the year, Pawlenty and the Freedom First PAC endorsed former House Speaker Marco Rubio, the Republican nominee in the U.S. Senate election.