Kelley_Headshot_2_biggerU.S. Rep. Betty McCollum is backing former state Sen. Steve Kelley for governor, according to Kelley, who formally announced his candidacy Monday.

The word from Kelley came via Twitter: “I am proud to have earned Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s support in my campaign for Minnesota governor!”

In May, McCollum’s fellow DFLer in Congress, Keith Ellison, endorsed Matt Entenza, another former state legislator seeking the governorship.

In 2008, McCollum endorsed Mike Ciresi over Al Franken in the race among DFLers to replace Republican Norm Coleman in the U.S. Senate, switching to Franken weeks after he received the party’s endorsement.