Capitol View: August 27, 2009 Archive

Pawlenty names a new chief of staff

Posted at 11:04 AM on August 27, 2009 by Tim Pugmire

Gov, Tim Pawlenty announced today that Bob Schroeder will take over as his chief of staff beginning Aug. 31. Schroeder replaces Matt Kramer, who took a job with the University of Minnesota. Pawlenty isn't seeking a third term next year. The governor's office issued this news release:

St. Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today named Bob Schroeder as Chief of Staff, effective Monday, August 31. Schroeder takes over from Matt Kramer, who accepted a position as director of the University of Minnesota's Academic and Corporate Relations Center.

Schroeder, 52, has worked in variety of positions in state government, in Minnesota and Florida, over the last 29 years. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Pawlenty from 2003 to 2008 and Deputy Minnesota Secretary of State from 2000-2002.

"Bob is a seasoned leader with experience and good judgment," Governor Pawlenty said. "With his assistance I look forward to continuing to make progress for Minnesota over the remaining 16 months in my term."

Schroeder has B.A. from Drew University in New Jersey and a master's degree from Duke University in North Carolina.

Governor Pawlenty also announced that he has named Director of Communications Brian McClung and Senior Advisor to the Governor Paul Anderson as Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

Chris Coleman: aiming higher than mayor?

Posted at 3:44 PM on August 27, 2009 by Mike Mulcahy (3 Comments)

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has made no secret he's interested in a run for governor next year. Of course, right now he's campaigning for re-election to his current job.

Today Coleman announced he's hired a high-powered team for his re-election effort with lots of statewide and national experience. The team is so high-powered, in fact, you have to wonder if he's looking beyond this November.

Coleman said he's hired Mandy Grunwald as a media consultant. Grunwald worked for Bill Clinton as he ran for president and for Minnesota Democrats, including Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken and Paul Wellstone.

The other new members of the mayor's team are pollster Diane Feldman and new-media consultant Jon-David Schlough.

Feldman has polled for Franken, Rep. Keith Ellison, the House DFL Caucus and Paul Wellstone. Schlough also worked for Franken before founding his own interactive-media firm,Well and Lighthouse LLC of Washington, D.C.

All this for a campaign in sleepy St. Paul? You can take a look at some of what Coleman is getting for the money he's spending by looking at the new Web site his campaign unveiled today.

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