WASHINGTON — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed ex-rival Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination today and promptly was named a national co-chairman of the Romney campaign.
Weeks after ending his own bid for the White House, Pawlenty told Fox News Channel that Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, is "unmatched" in his skills and experience at creating jobs and igniting the economy.
"I believe he's going to be our party's nominee and I think he's going to be a transformational and great president," Pawlenty said.
The Romney campaign separately issued a statement naming Pawlenty as a national co-chairman of his campaign.
"It is an honor to have Governor Pawlenty's support," Romney said in the statement. "Tim will be a trusted adviser as I move forward with my campaign."
Romney trails Texas Gov. Rick Perry in opinion polls for the Republican nomination to face President Barack Obama in the November 2012 election.
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