Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential presidential candidate in 2012, has now endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election -- passing over his party's actual nominee, moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava.

Pawlenty said in a statement given to Red State:

"We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail, but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card check and taxes. After reviewing the candidates' positions, I'm endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York's special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases, and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections."

Pawlenty is the second possible GOP presidential candidate to pick the Conservative over the Republican, following Sarah Palin's endorsement of Hoffman late last week. Newt Gingrich has been vocally supporting Scozzafava, and catching a lot of flak on the right as a result.