Stonewall DFL, which represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, has endorsed Mohamud Noor as a replacement for longtime state Sen. Larry Pogemiller.

Noor is one seven candidates, including six DFLers, who have filed for the seat in Senate District 59 in northeast Minneapolis. Pogemiller resigned to accept the position as Director of the Office of Higher Education. A DFL primary is Dec. 6 and the general election is Jan. 10.

The Stonewall group said Noor's "message of equal opportunity resonated with our members." The group cited his outreach to the Somali community in opposition to the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage as well as his experience on the Council of Black Minnesotans.

Other candidates who have filed for the seat are: DFLers Peter Wagenius, Jacob Frey, Alicia Frosch, Paul Ostrow and Kari Dziedzic, and Republican Ben Schwanke.

DFL candidates have been invited to a candidate forum Nov. 30 at Sheridan Arts Magnet School Auditorium, 1201 University Ave. NE. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m.