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St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

AFSCME splits backing between Ciresi, Franken

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Both attorney Mike Ciresi and comedian Al Franken can claim the backing of a well-known union as they vie for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Al Franken
Franken, 55, was born in New York City, like Coleman, but grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He was a performer and writer on television's "Saturday Night Live" before writing best-selling books combining humor and politics.
File photo: William D. Bird/Getty Images

Last month, the political arm of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 endorsed Franken.

On Tuesday, AFSCME Council 65 announced it was supporting Ciresi.

Council 65 represents county government employees and counts 13,000 members. Council 5 represents 43,000 public and nonprofit employees in the state.

Mike Ciresi
Attorney Mike Ciresi is exploring a possible run for U.S. Senate in 2008.
Photo courtesy of Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi

Ciresi and Franken are competing for the chance to take on Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in November.

Other Democrats after the nomination are professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, environmental activist Jim Cohen and frequent candidate Dick Franson.