Matt Entenza, running for the DFL gubernatorial nomination, today named his “leadership team,” filled with some Republicans, some former Ventura administration commissioners, a one-time rival and all sorts of folks from around the state.

The group of 24 business non-profit and government leaders includes former Ventura transportation commissioner El Tinklenberg, former Republican House Speaker David Jennings (also in the Ventura cabinet), Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner (who earlier this year sought the DFL nomination) and former DFL Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger.

The full list is here.

Entenza said the group will advise him in the final two weeks of the primary campaign and in “the future administration.” “They will help me with the beginnings of a transition,” the former St. Paul legislator said, confidently.

He said the group - especially the links to the Ventura years - “shows that competence is back,” as opposed to the “political ideology” of the Pawlenty years.

Entenza also used his afternoon news conference to distance himself from the Obama administration. Twice he noted voters’ “disappointment” with the Obama White House.

Asked if he was steering toward independent voters in his contest with DFL-endorsed Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Mark Dayton, Entenza said he was not; “primaries attract people who are Democrats,” he said.