House Speaker and DFL candidate for governor Margaret Anderson Kelliher Thursday announced she's received the endorsement from UNITE HERE, a union "representing workers in light manufacturing, hotels, restaurants, bars, food service, convention centers, airports and airline catering."

The union, which represents about 5,000 members in the state and another 2,000 fee payers, actually gave Kelliher the nod last week but the campaign announced it today.

Wade Luneberg, the union's secretary/treasurer, said they'd screened seven of what they saw as 9 DFL candidates and found Kelliher the best.

"We do seriously think that Margaret is seriously qualified for the job. She dresses for battle every day," he said.

Luneberg said he was unsure how many delegates are UNITE HERE members because the union didn't have a candidate at caucus time. He estimated the union may have "perhaps up to 10."

"We are hoping that our endorsement would encourage others to come out for Margaret," Luneberg said.

Unions thus far have split in their endorsements among DFL candidates. Two big unions have yet to endorse, Education Minnesota and SEIU. Education Minnesota, the teachers union, is unlikely to do so before the state conventions this month.