In what could be the only major organizational endorsement before the May convention in the 5th Congressional District race, the Minnesota ACORN PAC today endorsed state Rep. Keith Ellison to succeed U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo. “Keith Ellison is right on the policy issues, but he also understands grassroots organizing and what it’s going to take to shift our country’s course to a more hopeful and progressive direction based around strong communities,” ACORN PAC chair Sunday Alabi said in a statement. “As a candidate he will inspire people who don’t usually participate to go out and vote this fall.”

The Greens have endorsed Julie Risser in Senate District 41. Risser, an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas, is focusing on women’s reproductive rights and a fair tax policy in her campaign. She’ll be challenging first-term incumbent state Sen. Geoff Michel, a Republican from Edina.