A third Democrat has joined the race to take on Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in 2008.

Bob Olson, an attorney and bank owner, said this week that he decided to run because the Senate needs a “boring tax lawyer.”

“I know how to get … things done,” he told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I’m the only candidate that does.”

Olson joins comedian Al Franken and trial attorney Mike Ciresi in the race for the Democratic nomination. Like his opponents, Olson said he would honor the results of the Democratic state convention next summer and would not take the nominating fight to a primary.

In a related development, Franken this week rolled out endorsements from state Auditor Rebecca Otto (D) and 19 Democratic state legislators.

“After having spent the last year with Al on the campaign trail, I know that he will never be afraid to speak his mind or vote his convictions in Washington,” Otto said. “Al will always value principle over politics.”
— Josh Kurtz