The Eye

Freshman Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., has lined up behind state Sen. Tarryl Clark, D, in the Democratic primary to take on Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.

In an e-mail to supporters Wednesday, Franken wrote that Clark "delivered for her district as a state senator, and she'll do the same for the residents of the 6th District as their representative in Congress," and asked them to join him in supporting Clark campaign and donating to her campaign. Franken himself has proven his fundraising mettle, raising more than $25 million for his 2008 campaign and the ensuing recount.

Clark is the Minnesota party establishment favorite, and has already earned a large number of labor union endorsements, but she faces a potential primary contest against Maureen Reed, a physician and former Independent Party lieutenant governor candidate who surprised observers with her strong fundraising since joining the race in the spring.