Mary Pawlenty, lawyer, former district court judge and First Lady of Minnesota, is married to Governor Tim Pawlenty. The power couple live in Eagan, Minnesota with their two daughters, Anna, 15, and Mara, 12. They have opted not to live in the governor’s mansion, a decision that was initially made because it would have taken Mary Pawlenty out of her jurisdiction.
Tim, 47, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1960, one of five children of a milk truck driver and housewife. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1986 from the University of Minnesota Law School.
During his law school days he met fellow student Mary Anderson and one year later they married. Tim Pawlenty is of Polish and German heritage and was raised a Roman Catholic. He later converted to the Evangelical Christian faith, his wife’s religion.
Tim started out as a practicing attorney and then became Vice President of an internet company Wizmo Consulting Group. Mary Pawlenty, 46, was appointed a judge for the Dakota County District Court in 1994. The couple began to raise two daughters during this time period.
Tim was elected the 39th governor of Minnesota in 2002 and reelected in 2006. In 2007, Mary left her judicial position and is currently employed by a dispute resolution company, the Gilbert Mediation Center.
Governor Pawlenty served as the Chairman of the National Governors Association from 2007-2008. He announced in June 2009 if he would not seek a third term in 2010. On October 1, 2009, he filed papers to launch The Freedom First PAC, a clear signal that he has his sights set on a possible 2012 presidential bid – details here.
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