Doubling down on her rural credentials, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher Wednesday announced Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson would endorse her bid for DFL endorsement.

"Margaret understands real rural issues, and has the leadership style to bring rural, urban and suburban people together...Rural people need a governor who understands all of Minnesota, and Margaret will serve all Minnesotans," Peterson said in a news release.

Peterson, a former state representative, considered running for governor himself last year.

Kelliher, a Minneapolis resident who grew up on a Blue Earth County farm, is one of five candidates for governor who has pledged to drop out of the race if she does not get this weekend's DFL endorsement.

Bridget Cusick, a spokeswoman for DFL gubernatorial candidate Matt Entenza, said via Twitter that Aaron Peterson endorsed Entenza, making the Peterson at least the second split family endorsement in the crowded DFL race.