Emmer picks up support from Lt. Gov. (and former Transpo Commish) Molnau

There are two Republican statewide elected officials and state Rep. Tom Emmer, a candidate for governor, has one of them on his side.

Today, Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau said she's supporting Emmer's campaign. Molnau said she'd had conversations with other GOP candidates for governor.

"I'm just as pleased as I can be to endorse him," Molnau said of Emmer. "It's his leadership style and his strength that turned me toward Tom."

Molnau served in the Minnesota House alongside Rep. Marty Seifert, another leading candidate for governor, before she left to become Gov. Tim Pawlenty's second in command. Emmer arrived in the House after Molnau had left.

She was transportation commissioner until 2008 when the Minnesota Senate ousted her after the I35W bridge collapse. She was unpopular in that position but has maintained more popularity within GOP ranks.

Emmer also has support from some folks who had hoped state Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, would run for governor and from state Sen. Michael Jungbauer, a ran his own brief campaign for governor last year.

Pawlenty has not endorsed a candidate for governor.

Meanwhile, Emmer, an attorney, said there's no way, no how that he will switch races and run for attorney general. The Republican party currently lacks any candidate to face Democratic Attorney General Lori Swanson.

"No possibly what-so-over," Emmer said. "I'm not going to run for attorney general. That's a no."

Seifert also announced some new supporters Monday. He announced longtime Republican committee woman Evie Axdahl, the grand doyenne of the party, was backing his campaign. He also announced support from other Republican activists and local office holders including: Georgie Hilker, of White Bear Lake, Mary Igo, of St. Paul, Chris Jacobson, of Maplewood, Deb Kaczmarek, of Rosemount, Phyllis Kieffer, of Anoka, Karen Nolte, of New Hope, Carla Shutrop, of Shakopee, Rhonda Sivarajah, of Lino Lakes, and Robyn West, of Blaine.