U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison endorsed fellow Democrat and longtime friend Matt Entenza for Minnesota governor on Monday.

In a letter released by the campaign, Ellison wrote, “Matt will be the strong partner we need to make our work in Congress bear fruit back home in Minnesota. With Matt’s help, we can pass health care for all and develop the clean energy economy.”

The endorsement was not surprising, given the fact that the second-term congressman and the gubernatorial candidate have been friends since their days as law students at the University of Minnesota. Ellison and Entenza also served in the state legislature together earlier this decade — and both hold strong progressive policy stances.