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Weaver leaves Pawlenty administration
October 31, 2003

Charlie Weaver steps down as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chief of staff to become head of the Minnesota Business Partnership. Weaver, a close friend and ally of Pawlenty, has served in the post for 10 months. (MPR file photo)

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - Charlie Weaver, the chief of staff to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will step down next Nov. 14 to become the leader of a major Minnesota business group.

Weaver, 46, has been a key player in Pawlenty's inner circle and a personal friend of the Republican governor since the two attended law school together two decades ago. His departure, announced Friday, is the most significant the administration has had in its 10 months in power.

"The day after the 2002 election, I asked Charlie to lead the transition and get the Pawlenty-Molnau administration off to a running start," the governor said in a written statement. "He delivered - and we haven't stopped running since. I'm very grateful for his friendship, service and sacrifice."

Weaver will take over as executive director for the Minnesota Business Partnership, an association of chief executive officers from the state's 100 largest companies, including 3M Co., General Mills and Target Corp. He replaces Duane Benson, whose eight-year run at the partnership ended Friday.

"While I've cherished the opportunity to work with my great friend, Governor Tim Pawlenty, the opportunity to return to the private sector and work with this terrific organization is simply too appealing to pass up," Weaver said in a news release.

These two are tight ... (It's) a great loss for Governor Pawlenty and the administration. - House Speaker Steve Sviggum

As chief of staff, Weaver has been active in budget strategy and negotiations and has had a much higher profile than Steven Bosacker did in Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration. Weaver was also part of Ventura's cabinet, serving as public safety commissioner.

While Ventura's administration had only one chief of staff, other governors have experienced turnover. Gov. Arne Carlson, for instance, had four during his eight years in office.

Bob Schroeder, the deputy chief of staff, will replace Weaver on an acting basis.

Weaver's ties to state government are deep. The Anoka Republican, a lawyer by training, served five terms as a state legislator. His father and his uncle were also legislators. Weaver ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 1998.

While the Business Partership wouldn't reveal Weaver's salary, it is believed to be much higher than the $120,000 he made as Pawlenty's top adviser. He was chosen over five other people interviewed for the position, a group spokesman said.

Many people in and around state government regard Weaver and Pawlenty as having the closest relationship of anyone in their respective roles in recent memory.

"These two are tight," said House Speaker Steve Sviggum, who described the news as "a great loss for Governor Pawlenty and the administration."

Weaver is known for being folksy and personable, readily exchanging jokes and barbs with people around him - legislators from both parties, the governor himself and reporters.

In Weaver, the group retains a leader with strong government connections. Benson was a state senator prior to taking the job in 1994.

But unlike Benson, Weaver comes in with "a business friendly governor and a business friendly Legislature," said Chuck Slocum, who was the partnership's executive director's job in the 1980s. The Minneapolis-based group has been around since 1977. Said Tennant Co. president and CEO Janet Dolan, the partnership's chairwoman, said Weaver's "leadership, political and policy skills" made him an attractive choice.

"With his background, Charlie Weaver will give us a strong presence at the State Capitol and build on the momentum the partnership has gained in recent years."

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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