Even before he says whether he's running for president, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proven himself to be a formidable Republican fundraiser.

According to papers to be filed this weekend with the Federal Election Commission, Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC will report that it raised $1,279,906.36 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2009, from over 2,750 donors.

“While I disagree with his proposed direction, I agree with President Obama that education, health care and the deficit are critical challenges for our country. Our nation’s debt is a growing crisis that puts the country’s security at risk. Freezing some spending won’t solve the crisis – we need to actually cut spending. If we set priorities, make tough choices and reject tax hikes, we can create jobs without continuing to run up irresponsible debt.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will headline the Susan B. Anthony List fundraiser in March in Washington, adding to a string of prominent speaking engagements for the potential 2012 Republican presidential contender. 

The annual event for the group that supports anti-abortion candidates is one of the largest functions for Washington’s social conservative circle each spring and represents a strong forum for Pawlenty to bolster his conservative credentials. 

After routing Republicans in the elections of 2006 and 2008, Democrats hold a substantial majority in both houses of the Minnesota legislature. As the recession contracted state revenues forecast for the coming biennium, Minnesota Democrats succumbed to a tax raising mania. They sought to raise the top rate of Minnesota's already high income tax to 9 percent and impose a variety of new taxes. Governor Pawlenty held his ground and vetoed the tax bills, while the hardy Republican minority stuck together in the legislature to sustain him.