Pawlenty to raise money for Rubio

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a fundraiser scheduled on Friday for Marco Rubio, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in Florida. Pawlenty, former MNGOP Chair Bill Cooper and former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz will host a luncheon for Rubio at the Minneapolis Club on Friday.

"Marco Rubio represents the future of the Republican Party and has the common sense, conservative ideas we need more of in Washington," said Alex Conant, spokesman for Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC. "Governor Pawlenty wants to do whatever he can to help Rubio's campaign, and is glad to host him in Minnesota."

Rubio is a popular candidate in GOP circles. His candidacy forced Republican Governor Charlie Crist to switch to an Independent in the Florida Senate race.

Pawlenty didn't back a candidate for Florida Senate until Crist decided to run as an independent.

He's the latest White House hopeful to back Rubio. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin are all backing Rubio.

(h/t Blois Olson).

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