Tim Pawlenty endorses Bachmann for reelection

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday endorsed Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), his former rival for the GOP presidential nomination, for reelection.

“I am thrilled to accept the endorsement of Gov. Tim Pawlenty in my race for reelection to Congress,” Bachmann said in a statement released by her office. “Gov. Pawlenty and I will work together to make Minnesota ‘red’ in 2012.”

The two were not quite so friendly as competitors for the GOP presidential nomination. They fought fiercely for the lead in early-voting Iowa, where both ultimately fared poorly, although Bachmann won the Ames Straw Poll in August. Pawlenty campaigned against Bachmann’s “nonexistent” record.

Pawlenty dropped out of the race in August, and Bachmann in January. Pawlenty has since endorsed Mitt Romney as the nominee. Bachmann has not endorsed a candidate.

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