Rep. Ryan Winkler, who is resigning from the Legislature effective July 1, has endorsed Peggy Flanagan to be his replacement.

Winkler, the fifth term DFL legislator of District 46A in Golden Valley, is moving with his family to Belgium, where his wife will take a job as senior vice president and general counsel for Rezidor Hotel Group, a partner of Carlson Hotels.

Flanagan, 35, is a DFL activist and executive director of Children's Defense Fund - Minnesota. She has been active in efforts to raise the minimum wage, which was a key issue for Winkler during his legislative tenure.

Winkler said Flanagan is "a leader with tremendous ability and even greater promise."

Tim Reardon, who founded his own leadership consulting firm, Cheassisi Consulting, is also running for the seat.

Gov. Mark Dayton has called for a special election Nov. 3.