Pawlenty Endorses Golnik in Massachusetts

Jon Golnik, the Republican opposing Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas in Massachusetts’ 5th District, has received a valuable endorsement — from Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Roll Call reports. Pawlenty is likely to run for president in 2012.

Golnik “is the kind of leader we need in Washington — and we need more like him,” Pawlenty says in a statement. “Jon will be a vote against the outrageous debt-building agenda currently in Congress, and I look forward to helping him achieve his goals.”

Golnik sought the Minnesota governor’s support “because he likes Pawlenty and they are like-minded,” Golnik’s campaign spokeswoman Alicia Preston says. In addition, Golnik’s brother Ben, a Republican political consultant, worked for the Minnesota Republican Party in 2007.

Another likely presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, endorsed Golnik and gave him $5,000.