McClung leaves governor’s office to work with political group

Gov. Pawlenty's spokesman Brian McClung is leaving the governor's office to form his own public relations firm. A news release sent through the governor's office said McClung will direct MN Forward, a newly formed independent expenditure fund. The fund will be bankrolled by Minnesota job providers. The contacts on the news release from MN Forward head the Minnesota Business Partnership and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

The Minnesota Business Partnership's Charlie Weaver says the fund will accept corporate contributions. It's the second such fund to take that action in light of a new Minnesota law that allows corporate spending on independent expenditures. Minnesota was forced to change its law after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations can spend money on independent expenditures like advertising and campaign literature. The court kept a ban on direct corporate contributions to candidates.

McClung's last day in the governor's office is Friday. He starts his new job on Monday.

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