Molnau to back Emmer for governor

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau will announce at a 1:30 news conference that she's backing State Rep. Tom Emmer for Governor. Emmer, of Delano, is seeking the GOP endorsement against a field of six other Republicans which include state Rep. Marty Seifert, state Sen. David Hann and former state Rep. Bill Haas.

Molnau's endorsement will help solidify conservative support for Emmer since she's just one of two Republicans who are holding statewide office (Gov. Pawlenty is the other). But it could also bring some baggage.

The Minnesota Senate rejected her confirmation as Transportation Commissioner. Senate Democrats said they didn't want her serving as both Lt. Governor and Transportation Commissioner but there were also concerns that she was commissioner when the I-35W bridge collapsed.

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