By Baird Helgeson

State Auditor Rebecca Otto racked up a couple union endorsements Monday in her reelection bid.

Here's what the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 had to say in a release:

"With governments running tight budgets, we commend Otto in her effort to help tighten oversight and cut waste to save jobs," said Glen Johnson, Local 49's business manager. "Since taking office, Otto has persistently fought to ensure hardworking Minnesotan's know how their tax money is being spent."

One of Otto's biggest commitments is helping the state and local governments cut overwhelming energy costs where possible. In 2009, the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) recognized her report for best practices in energy savings with its Excellence in Accountability Award.

As auditor, Otto oversees more than $20 billion spent annually by local Minnesota governments. Her office is also responsible for reviewing investment and financial reporting for more than 700 public pension plans, covering approximately 20,000 people.

"Lax financial oversight has allowed unethical financiers to fleece too many middle-class Minnesotans out of their retirement savings in recent years," said Adam Duininck, Local 49's political director. "With Otto in charge, we can be confident she'll keep those handling our money honest."

Earlier in the day, members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees threw their arm around Otto, the first woman Democrat to be elected to the post.

The state's largest union of professional state employees praised Otto, who also serves on the State Board of Investment, for safeguarding members' pension investments.

"As our budget situation continues to worsen, it will be vitally important that we keep our financial house in order. That is why we support Rebecca Otto," MAPE executive director Jim Monroe said in a statement. "Like we did when she first ran in 2006, we are proud to endorse Rebecca in 2010."

MAPE has more than 12,700 members, including many in the auditor's office, the union said.

"MAPE looks forward to partnering with Rebecca for another four years," Monroe said. "We will continue working together to solve our budget crisis."