Pawlenty tapped for GOP governors post

WASHINGTON, July 27 (UPI) -- Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is to be tapped to help Republican gubernatorial candidates, a post some observers say will help advance his political ambitions.

On Monday the association was to name Pawlenty as its vice chairman, a position in which the Minnesota commander in chief will take a leadership role in helping Republicans in two gubernatorial races this fall and in the 37 elections scheduled for 2010, Politico reported.

Pawlenty, a GOP rising star and two-term governor who decided not to seek re-election next year, can use the RGA post to develop relationships with governors, candidates, donors and party activists, his advisers said. Pawlenty also was expected to create a political action committee, a common practice for candidates to test national political waters.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was the RGA's vice chairman, but took over the organization after South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford stepped aside following his admission to an extramarital affair. The decision to elect Pawlenty as vice chairman was made earlier this month by GOP governors during the National Governors Association conference, the Washington publication said.

"The RGA now has the best political strategist in our party's history working with one of the GOP's brightest stars to compete in 39 governors races over the next 17 months," RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers said.