Teamsters union backs Dayton for governor

Democrat Mark Dayton secured the backing of a second labor union in the race for governor.

Teamsters Joint Council 32 announced that it was backing Dayton over a field of eleven other DFL candidates. In a news release, Teamsters President Sue Mauren said: "While there were many great candidates to choose from, we feel that Dayton is the right choice for the Teamsters Union and for all Minnesotans."

Dayton, who will forego the DFL endorsement process and run in a primary, now has the support of two unions. AFSCME Council 5, the state's largest public employee union, announced in October that it was backing him.

The Teamsters move means union support is going to six DFL candidates. Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher is backed by four unions. Dayton and State Sen. Tom Bakk have two endorsements each and State Rep. Paul Thissen has the backing of one union. State Rep. Tom Rukavina and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak each have the support of various local unions.

Two major unions have yet to endorse; Education Minnesota, the state's teacher's union and the Service Employees International Union.

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