As things heat up between Republican gubernatorial candidates Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert, Emmer is set to announce endorsements that could help him with the hundreds of convention delegates up for selection this weekend.

Brian Sullivan, a gubernatorial candidate who nearly won party endorsement in 2002, and Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman with stellar strategic credentials, will both endorse Emmer Friday, according to sources.

Emmer confirmed Weber's endorsement via Twitter: "We're proud to confirm that Vin Weber is one of the two people we're announcing at today's endorsement press conference."

The endorsements show a tightening of the race between Seifert and Emmer, the two front runners in the Republican race to replace Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Seifert has had organizational might and more cash on hand than Emmer but, of late, Emmer has picked up bigger name endorsements.

Emmer will appear with the two men at the Capitol later Friday morning.