Pawlenty is the first major Repubilcan to file presidential bid paperwork (Photo provided by Associated Press).

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday to become a formal candidate for President.

Pawlenty said he believes his campaign will appeal to economic and social conservatives as well as working class voters.

Pawlenty publically made his announcement through a two-minute video on Facebook, stressing the importance of social media in the 2012 election.

In the video, Pawlenty addressed the economic hardships he witnessed in Minnesota and his hope for more jobs and limited government spendings in the future.

“We need to encourage the dreamers and innovators, the small business owners, the hard workers, the brave men and women throughout this country’s history that have asked for nothing more than the freedom to work hard and get ahead without government getting in the way,” Pawlenty said in the video.

Democrat turned Republican Buddy Roemer, the former Governor of Louisiana, has also filed paperwork with the federal election officials.

Republican leaders like Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney are not expected to file paperwork towards a presidential bid for at least another month.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has also recently announced his interest in running but has yet to formally file paperwork.