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Former Minnesota Governor Pawlenty enters crowded gubernatorial race

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has entered the gubernatorial race to succeed Mark Dayton (DFL).

Pawlenty, a Republican, previously served two terms leading the state from 2003 to 2011.

He ran an unsuccessful 2012 GOP Presidential campaign before becoming CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable, a lobbying group that works with top Wall Street banks.

Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish tells Brownfield he has concerns about Pawlenty’s track record on agriculture.

“Before his term as Governor (when) he was a sitting legislator, he did vote against ethanol at a time when we did get the Minnesota mandate on ethanol.  And as Governor, the thing that does come to mind is that he borrowed money from the school districts, which does affect us in the rural communities.”

He says that put more pressure on farmers by transferring taxes to the land.

Dayton, who is not seeking a third term, told CNBC he would match his record as Governor against Pawlenty’s any day.

Pawlenty enters a crowded field of Republican and DFL candidates ahead of the November sixth election.

Minnesota Farm Bureau declined to comment on Pawlenty running for Governor.

 

Gary Wertish audio: