Pawlenty to announce exploratory committee

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will announce today at 3 pm the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, the first official step toward seeking the Republican nomination for president. Pawlenty will make the announcement on Facebook, a source confirmed to The Daily Caller.

Pawlenty is the first Republican considered to have a serious shot at the nomination to form an exploratory committee. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has announced an exploratory phase; former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza Herman Cain, and Fred Karger have announced exploratory committees.