That Third Ward race for City Council is sure heating up. Incumbent Diane Hofstede fired back Thursday with a long list of political and labor endorsements, including three of her colleagues, a day after her challenger announced four of her colleagues were supporting him.

One of the intriguing aspects of how the endorsements are falling is that council members supporting a new Viking stadium, last year's most contentious council issue, are backing Hofstede, while stadium opponents are lining up behind challenger Jacob Frey.

Hofstede announced support from Council Members Barb Johnson, Don Samuels and Meg Tuthill, all stadium supporters. That almost matches Frey's tally of support from four of her colleagues. They are Gary Schiff, Elizabeth Glidden, Robert Lilligren and Lisa Goodman, all stadium foes.

Hofstede also listed a bevy of other public officials on her side. They include state Reps. Diane Loeffler and Phyllis Kahn, Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins, and park Commissioners Liz Wielinski and Anita Tabb.

She said she's also endorsed by four local union groups, most notably Teamsters and Operating Engineers Local 49.
Hofstede is completing a second term on the council and has a big name in city politics through her brother in law, Albert Hofstede, who served as mayor for two terms in the 1970s. Frey is a young attorney who ran unsuccessfully last year for an East Side state Senate seat.

The Third Ward election next November will be held for a revamped ward that includes precincts in downtown and portions of the East Side.