Former Blaine Mayor Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) was endorsed by teachers union Education Minnesota in his bid for the 6th district Congressional seat.

“This endorsement is not only important for our campaign’s momentum, but in terms of fundraising and their ability to provide field workers it is huge,” Tinklenberg said in a statement. The union represents 70,000 members across the state, according to the campaign’s news release.

Tinklenberg, who sought the Democratic nod in 2006 but dropped out of the race before the nominating process came to a close, faces attorney and 1994 Democratic nominee Bob Olson. The Democratic primary winner will face Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) in the Minneapolis exurban district that elected the freshman Congresswoman with 50 percent of the vote.
— Shira Toeplitz