Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers
Written by
The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is landing endorsements from Minnesota's House speaker and majority leader days ahead of the state's caucus.
A leading state Capitol Republican told The Associated Press that Speaker Kurt Zellers and Majority Leader Matt Dean will headline a list of Romney's legislative backers. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the roster wasn't due for public release until later Friday.
The endorsements signal a desire by high-level Republicans to close ranks around Romney before next Tuesday's caucuses.
Other top Minnesota Republicans in Romney's corner include former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Erik Paulsen and former Sen. Norm Coleman.
Zellers initially supported Pawlenty until he dropped out of the White House race in August. Dean had endorsed Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann before Iowa's caucuses.
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