Pawlenty: Future White House run ‘highly unlikely’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says it’s “highly unlikely” that he’ll run for the White House again or that he’d accept a high-level post in a Republican administration.

He discussed his abbreviated campaign for the 2012 GOP nomination and his future on Minnesota Public Radio and later with reporters.

He wouldn’t completely shut the presidential door, but says his party will have a deep bench of promising candidates to choose from.

Pawlenty ended his campaign after a third-place finish in Iowa’s straw poll this summer. He says his campaign was out of money.

Pawlenty is backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the 2012 race, and hasn’t ruled out a future run for Minnesota governor or U.S. Senate.