Pawlenty to light last Christmas tree as gov

Gov. Tim Pawlenty lights his last Christmas tree at the governor's mansion on Monday.

The Republican governor's second term ends in January, unless a court case over the undecided governor's race keeps him in office longer.

Pawlenty has become a potential 2012 presidential candidate after declining to seek a third term as governor.

He and first lady Mary Pawlenty are set to flip the switch on 4,000 lights on a 30-foot white spruce from the Chengwatana State Forest near Pine City. The tree stands in front of the official residence on Summit Avenue in St. Paul.

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