UTU State Legislative Director Phil Qualy announced the endorsement Friday at a meeting of UTU leaders from around the state. Franken also addressed the group.

"This is a gentleman that can win," Qualy said. "This is a gentleman that can speak to our values and fight the hard fight in the U.S. Senate."

Franken thanked the UTU members for their support and said he would always advocate for the rights of unions and working people.

"I believe in unions," he said. "Unions built the middle class in this country and have to rebuild it again."

Franken hopes to win the DFL nomination to run against Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in November. He said that if elected, he would work to overturn the policies implemented by President George Bush and Coleman that are undermining the standard of living for working families in the United States.

UTU leaders gather around Al Franken (fifth from the right) after endorsing him for U.S. Senate.