To an audience in a small Edina restaurant with standing-room only, University law student Andrew Borene announced his candidacy for state Senate District 41.

The district covers Edina and West Bloomington.

Borene, 30, a husband and father of two, joined the military in 2000, eventually becoming an intelligence officer and serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After his time in Iraq, Borene worked the 2004 presidential and vice presidential debates on behalf of Democrats.

His formal campaign kickoff came six months after he began going out into the community, Borene said.

The event featured comedian and radio personality Al Franken and former Democratic governor Wendell Anderson.

Franken, who graduated from the same private high school as Borene did, said he was proud to be at the event on Borene’s behalf.

During his speech, Franken mixed humor with serious political rhetoric in an appeal to those present to assist Borene in his campaign.

Wendell, who said he urged Borene to run for the office, expressed his displeasure with the goings-on in Washington.

“In Washington, they’re broke,” but in Minnesota something can be done, Wendell said.

Wendell cited the University’s goal to become a top-three research institution and what he called Minnesota’s historical leadership in education as a reason to fight for education funding.

Borene said his district has realized the “deceptive agenda” of the White House, and the people in his district are fiscally conservative and socially liberal ” how he identifies himself.

The area, which has historically voted Republican, voted for John Kerry and John Edwards in the 2004 presidential race.

During his campaign, Borene said, he will speak mainly on education, transportation and health care.

Eddie Rock, Borene’s campaign manager, said the next few months will be busy ones.

“This is a state senate campaign. There are no TV commercials,” he said. “It’s won by Andrew going through two or three pair of shoes.”

While no one else has announced an intention to campaign for the Democratic endorsement, Rock said it’s expected.

Assuming he captures the Democratic endorsement, Bolene likely would run against first-term Republican incumbent Geoff Michel, who identifies education, transportation and taxes as special legislative concerns.