Gov. Mark Dayton and other Democratic state officeholders picked up a new union endorsement.

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees endorsed Dayton, along with Lori Swanson for Attorney General and Rebecca Otto for State Auditor.

"Mark Dayton has shown tremendous political courage to get our state's economy growing again," said Carrie Wasley, chairman of MAPE's political action committee. "Throughout his first term, governor Dayton made tough decisions that benefit all Minnesotans, preserve our middle class, and get our economy moving in the right direction."

Wasley said Swanson "has a proven track record of fairness and leadership on consumer issues facing Minnesotans."

Of Otto, Wasley added: "Whether it's providing oversight of state employee pension investments, identifying ways to make government more efficient or finding innovative budget saving solutions, Auditor Otto does not shy away from making the right choice for taxpayers – she has earned another four year term."

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees is a 13,000-member union of state employees.