The Franken campaign announced today that State Representative Aaron Peterson is the latest state legislator to add his name to the ever-growing Franken endorsement list:
SAINT PAUL [10/15/07] - The Al Franken for Senate campaign announced today the endorsement of Assistant Majority Leader Aaron Peterson (DFL-Appleton). Rep. Peterson met with Al last week to tour the wind turbine and biomass gasification site at the University of Minnesota - Morris. Offering his public support for Al’s campaign, Rep. Peterson said:
“Al Franken is serious about renewable energy. He will be a leader in the U.S. Senate. Together, we’ll create a clean and strong future for rural Minnesota.”
Rep. Peterson is a third-term legislator, representing District 20A, in west central Minnesota. His endorsement brings Al’s total to 44 legislators statewide.
This is a great endorsement for Franken to get. Rep. Peterson has been an impressive voice in the Minnesota legislature for 20A and his moderate, rural background helps further strengthen Franken’s greater Minnesota appeal.
Zack Adds: Peterson also was considering a run himself earlier in the cycle.
In other Franken news, it looks as though one of Minnesota’s most predominant DFL fundraising families has finally tipped their hat to Franken in the Senate race. The Kaplans show up on Al’s Q3 FEC report(warning: pdf link) after having stayed silent in the Senate race up till now. Now, I suppose we should wait until they throw an official Kaplan fundraiser before declaring their support for Franken, but they maxed out to him this cycle so, there’s that. In all seriousness, the Kaplans are a huge boon to any DFLer in Minnesota and if Franken really has snagged them, well, that might be more important than the endorsement of any State legislator.
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Word on the street is that the Kaplans may have donated to Ciresi as well. I’ve heard from a number of folks that they were planning to stay out of this race. Once Ciresi’s numbers come out you should check and see if they maxed out to his campaign as well.
I’d definitely wait to claim their backing Franken until they come out officially. Lots of folks in that tier will donate to all the credible candidates if they don’t find anyone that they really like, but still want to support the eventual nominee.