Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Kurt Zellers unveiled a slate of new legislative endorsements Thursday, gaining the support of 16 current and former Republican legislators.

"He is the only candidate for governor who has succeeded in advancing Republican principles on high-stakes issues," said state Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley. "As Speaker of the House, Kurt made Governor Dayton and the liberal special interest groups surrender on the state budget, and he is the best candidate to defeat Mark Dayton this fall."

Zellers is among four GOP candidates vying to take on DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, who is seeking a second term. Zellers' gubernatorial rivals include Orono businessman Scott Honour, former state Rep. Marty Seifert and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, who is the GOP endorsed candidate.

All four will face off in the Aug. 12 GOP primary, where voters will decide which one will challenge Dayton.

Here is the list of Zellers' new endorsements:

Rep. Tony Albright, R-Prior Lake

Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore

Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville

Rep. Joe Hoppe, R-Chaska

Rep. Jeff Howe, R-Rockville

Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing

Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley

Rep. John Petersburg, R-Owatonna

Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine

Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River

Former Rep. Roger Crawford, R-Mora

Former Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria

Former Rep. Doug Lindgren, R-Bagley

Former Rep. Mark Murdock, R-Ottertail

Former Rep. Jim Rhodes, R-St. Louis Park