Former Blaine Mayor Elwyn Tinklenberg (D) this week abruptly ended his campaign against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) because, he said, the path to the general election became “increasingly improbable.—

State Senate Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark (D) entered the primary last week, joining a field that already included physician Maureen Reed (D) and Tinklenberg. After Clark entered the race, she immediately became the frontrunner in the primary.

“Now, however, we are faced with the prospect of the next 13 months being a battle among Democrats,— Tinklenberg said.

Tinklenberg lost to Bachmann in 2008 despite a last-minute cash influx after the Congresswoman made some controversial comments on a cable news show weeks before the election.

And in more good news for Clark, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced it is backing her campaign.

“AFSCME Council 5 is proud to be one of the very first organizations to endorse Tarryl Clark to run against Michele Bachmann in the 6th Congressional district,— union President Mike Buesing said.

According to a release from the AFSCME, there are 5,000 members who can vote in the 6th district.