Statement about running for governor: "Bottom line, I am certainly not thinking of any sort of a run for public office — governor or anything else for that matter," he said. "I don't have the fire in the belly to get into politics at any level." — Rochester Post-Bulletin, June 11, 2009  [In the same article, Independence Party of Minnesota chairman Jack Uldrich said, "I still think (Tim Penny) represents the best opportunity for the Independence Party, and so while he may be trying to close the door, as party chair, I will be doing everything in my power to keep it open."]

Party: Independence

Current government position: No   

Elected: 1975 to Minnesota Senate; 1982 to U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms as a Democrat.

Term: Served six terms in U.S. House of Representatives, from Jan. 3, 1983, to Jan. 3, 1995.

Occupation: President and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

Professor and Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota; speaker, writer.

Birth date: Nov. 19, 1951

Home: Waseca, Minn.

Education: B.A., political science, Winona State University; University of Minnesota

Website: Hubert Humphrey Institute page

E-mail: Tim Penny at SMI Foundation

Political experience: State senator (1976-1982); member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1983-1995; unsuccessful Independence Party candidate for Minnesota governor (2002).

Background articles:

"Profile: Tim Penny"

"A political house(hold) divided: Politico Tim Penny and his son agree to disagree"
 
"Penny throws support to McCain"