Pawlenty To Run 2012 Campaign From Mpls. High-Rise

ST. PAUL (AP) - Republican Tim Pawlenty's nascent presidential campaign is settling into a high-rise office building in downtown Minneapolis, the planned headquarters of a White House run.

An adviser to Pawlenty confirmed Tuesday that the former Minnesota governor's exploratory committee has leased space and moving into in the 27-story building. Pawlenty's campaign will occupy 5,000 square feet on the ninth floor.

The lease was first reported by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal. The newspaper quoted a property broker as saying Pawlenty's team preferred the site because of it is partially furnished, is close to a light-rail line that runs to the airport and has many restaurants and amenities nearby.

Terms were not disclosed.

Pawlenty told radio host Dennis Miller earlier Tuesday that a full-blown presidential announcement is coming "shortly."