Pawlenty heads to Washington for first PAC fundraiser

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/16/art.tpawlenty.gi.jpg caption="Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is raising money in Washington on Thursday."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is holding the first fundraiser for his newly-formed political action committee Thursday night in Washington.

The fundraiser is actually two events: a low-dollar "Pretzel and Pints" event at a popular Capitol Hill bar, and a "Leadership Dinner" at the home of lobbyist John Milne and his wife Deb Anderson where guests are asked to raise or contribute at least $5,000.

The money will go to Pawlenty's "Freedom First" PAC, which was launched at the beginning of the month and gives the governor the ability to travel the country in support of other Republicans as he eyes a possible presidential bid in 2012.

The first event is aimed at introducing Pawlenty to young Republicans and Capitol Hill staffers - the kind of operatives who might make up the backbone of Pawlenty's staff if he seeks the White House.

"A lot of young people are really drawn to Governor Pawlenty's innovative and conservative record," Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant said. "Meeting Pawlenty over some pretzels and pints is a fun bonus."

Four Republican members of Congress from Minnesota are listed as co-hosts: Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline and Erik Paulsen, as well as lobbyist and former Rep. Vin Weber.

The money will go to Pawlenty's "Freedom First" PAC, which was launched at the beginning of the month and gives the governor the ability to travel the country in support of other Republicans as he eyes a possible presidential bid in 2012.

The D.C. events will be followed on Nov. 4 by what an aide called Pawlenty's first "major" fundraiser in Minneapolis.

- CNN's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report