PIERRE – Chairman Bob Gray of the South Dakota Republican Party announced today that Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Republican State Dinner on Friday, October 2nd in Rapid City, SD.

Governor Pawlenty is currently serving his second term as the 39th governor of Minnesota, a term that concludes in 2011.  His public service career includes serving as a criminal prosecutor, Eagan City Councilmember, and ten-year member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, including four years as House Majority Leader.  Pawlenty also served as Chair of the National Governors Association.  During the 2008 Presidential Election, he served as a national co-chair for Sen. John McCain, and since then he has remained a national figure in Republican politics.

“Governor Pawlenty has been, and continues to be, a national leader within the Republican Party,” said Gray.  “He will share his vision of how the Republican Party can have electoral successes in 2010 and beyond, and how the Party can effectively govern after winning those contests.”

For ticket information for the State Dinner, call the Republican Party at 605-224-7347.