Tampa, Florida (CNN) — Tim Pawlenty, who endorsed Mitt Romney for president Monday, will attend the Republican Tea Party Debate as one of Romney’s guests.

Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor who dropped his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in August, will serve as the national co-chair of Romney’s campaign. In that role, Pawlenty will serve as a top campaign surrogate for the former Massachusetts governor.

On Monday, Sept. 12th, CNN will broadcast the “Tea Party Republican Debate,” live from Tampa, Florida at 8 p.m. ET.