Kennedy gets GOP backing for Senate bid

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy's 2006 campaign for the U.S. Senate picked up momentum as 26 of Minnesota's 31 Republican state senators endorsed him.

Kennedy, a Republican who represents Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, was the first candidate in either party to jump into the race for the seat Democrat Mark Dayton is giving up after only one term.

Former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams, who lost to Dayton six years ago, has said he plans to run for the seat; U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, who represents the 1st Congressional District, is also considering a bid, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer-Press said Wednesday.

Republican Party leaders, including GOP U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, appear to be quickly jumping on the Kennedy bandwagon.

"My own sense is that our party is going to be stronger behind Congressman Kennedy, and it's better for us to be unified quickly behind one candidate and present a unified message to the voters in November of 2006," GOP state Sen. Brian LeClair said.

No Democrats have entered the Senate race yet, but those considering it include attorney Mike Ciresi, Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar and children's advocate Patty Wetterling.