ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s teachers union is endorsing Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s bid for re-election well before Republicans settle on a candidate.

Education Minnesota backed Dayton on Friday during its political action conference.

Dayton wasn’t the first choice of the 70,000-member union when he ran for the office in 2010. Education Minnesota endorsed a different Democrat but blessed Dayton’s candidacy after he won the nomination in a primary.

Labor unions are expected to coalesce around the incumbent this time. He has an unobstructed path to the general election ballot.

Several Republicans are vying to challenge Dayton next year but the nominee might not be known until after an August primary.