In a crowded union hall Wednesday, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa announced his group’s support of Attorney General Jay Nixon for governor.

Nixon accepted the endorsement and gave a speech outlining his plan to improve workers’ rights and his willingness to fight current governor, Matt Blunt, for control of the state.

“They’re going to spend $25 million saying bad things about me in the next 363 days,” said Nixon. “And I’m ready to rumble.”

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There is a growing rift between two of the more active organizations in Missouri Democratic politics.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is charging the liberal political action group Missouri Pro-Vote with “union-busting.” Meanwhile, Pro-Vote says SEIU Local 2000 and the Brotherhood of Union Support (BUSS) are using intimidation and harassment to force its five St. Louis employees to join the union.

SEIU has filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Pro-Vote has responded by kicking SEIU off its steering committee.