GOP's Cravaack picks up union endorsement

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack has picked up the support of a construction workers union as he faces a closely watched re-election fight in northeastern Minnesota.

Local 49 of the International Union of Operating Engineers announced the endorsement Thursday, saying the union picked Cravaack over Democrats Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan. The union cited Cravaack's votes against proposed bans on prevailing wage agreements and his vote for a transportation bill signed into law last week.

Union support is key in the labor-heavy 8th District, where unions have typically backed Democratic candidates.

The Democrats are competing in an Aug. 14 primary to challenge Cravaack.