Comedian Al Franken (D) received the backing of yet another union this week in his bid for the Senate. The Service Employees International Union Minnesota State Council endorsed Franken, who is running in a three-way primary for the Democratic Senate nod.

The SEIU boasts more than 28,000 statewide members, according to the campaign.

“It is an honor and a privilege to receive the support of SEIU, whose members have taught me so much already in this campaign about the daily struggles faced by working families and the power of effective organizing,” Franken said in a statement.

Franken faces attorney Mike Ciresi and anti-war activist Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in the Democratic nominating fight. The winner will battle first-term Sen. Norm Coleman (R) in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle this November.

Franken already has received endorsements from United Auto Workers Minnesota, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the teachers union Education Minnesota.
— Shira Toeplitz