Outside help from the National Association of Realtors is giving a boost to two City Council candidates.

Voters received mailers recently from the association boosting Alondra Cano, vying for an open seat in Ward 9, and Jacob Frey, gunning to unseat incumbent Diane Hofstede in Ward 3. Both Cano and Frey are endorsed by the DFL.

The association, based in Chicago, registered with the state on October 7.

Julia Parenteau with the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors, which makes recommendations to the national group, said these are the only two City Council candidates for whom they have sent mailers so far.

Laws prevent her from disclosing the nature of future independent expenditures. The group has not endorsed a candidate for mayor.