State Rep. Kurt Bills on Thursday got a potentially powerful boost to his Republican U.S. Senate bid when he received the endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

"I am proud to wholeheartedly endorse Kurt Bills for United States Senate and hope all of my friends and supporters will help him go all the way to Washington," said Paul.

Bills, R-Rosemount, had endorsed Paul's presidential bid months ago.

Paul supporters are increasingly powerful with in the Minnesota Republican party and if Paul helps Bills raise money through his national outreach the nod could have significant weight.

Other Republicans running for the chance to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the fall: former state Rep. Dan Severson; veteran Pete Hegseth and several frequent candidates.