On Tuesday afternoon, former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza said he would run against DFL Auditor Rebecca Otto in a primary. Then the DFL powers rallied to her side.

By 9 p.m. Tuesday, dozens of DFL lawmakers and activists tweeted their support for Otto, a two-term, low-profile auditor. Many trashed Entenza, who ran for governor in 2010 and for attorney general in 2006. Former veteran House member Mindy Greiling, a Democrat from Roseville, focused on Entenza's highlighting of Otto's decade old House votes against same-sex marriage and for voter ID:

By Wednesday, DFL Gov. Mark Dayton added his voice to the storm. Dayton, about whom Entenza spoke admiringly in his campaign announcement, gave Otto his support in a statement:

While the endorsement from Dayton, who was served as auditor, is not full throated, it takes a powerful potential ally from Entenza's side.

"We respect that the governor is keeping his promise he made to the auditor, before Matt filed to run," said Dave Colling, Entenza campaign spokesman. He noted that Dayton is among other prominent Democrats who have run against DFL-endorsed candidates, as Entenza is doing now.

Despite Dayton's current support for Otto, Colling said of the governor: "Matt looks forward to campaigning with him after he wins the primary."

On social media the response was overwhelmingly against Entenza. By Wednesday, Entenza happy Facebook announcement that he was running was littered with negative comments about the move.

Post by Matt Entenza. Updated