Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has endorsed fellow Democrat Beth McCann in her race against independent Helen Morgan for Denver district attorney.

The winner in the Nov. 8 general election will succeed term-limited District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, and either Morgan or McCann will be the first female DA in Denver history.

McCann said she first approached Hickenlooper for his endorsement a short time ago.

“He lives in my (state House) district and knows me fairly well from my work in the House,” she said. “And he thinks I’m the best candidate.”

McCann’s views on criminal justice reform, reducing the numbers of people in prison and mental health issues all closely align with Hickenlooper, she said.

“I’m honored and pleased,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for the governor, plus I think he’s generally well-liked, especially in Denver.”

McCann said she was previously endorsed by former U.S. Senator and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, former Denver Deputy Mayor Cary Kennedy and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett. She also recently received the backing of the Teamsters and Pipefitters local unions, McCann added.

Meanwhile, Morgan’s endorsements include former Denver District Judge Christina Habas, retired district attorney investigator Mike Wilson, former district attorney Greg Long and the Denver Police Protective Association.

McCann, 67, is seeking the DA’s office for a second time. She defeated Michael Carrigan and Ken Boyd in the June 28 Democratic primary.

McCann worked eight years in the Denver DA’s office, including a stint as chief deputy DA. She left the office in 1983 and was also deputy state attorney general, Denver’s first manager of safety, and is a state representative for District 8. McCann started the Safe City program to help prevent youth violence in 1993.

McCann has served in the legislature for the entirety of Hickenlooper’s tenure in the state Capitol. He has signed 64 bills sponsored by McCann into law, including comprehensive human trafficking legislation, due process for juveniles in the criminal justice system, fairness in foreclosure proceedings, protecting domestic violence survivors, strengthening prescription drug monitoring databases, and the universal background check law for all gun purchases.

In a news release, Hickenlooper said  it was a pleasure to endorse McCann, whom he called a colleague and friend.

“Beth is uniquely qualified to lead Denver’s DA office, and I am confident she will make Denver a national leader in criminal justice reform,” he said. “Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly to make Denver and Colorado safer places for all of our families. She is one of the hardest working and most diligent legislators in the Colorado House of Representatives and I know she will bring that same commitment to excellence to the Denver District Attorney’s office.”

“During our time in the Capitol together, Gov. Hickenlooper has always been a partner in reforming and improving our criminal justice system,” McCann said. “He understands the need for our next DA to have a broad background of experience and the vision to move Denver forward in criminal justice reform. I greatly appreciate his support over the years and look forward to continuing our partnership for the remainder of his tenure as governor.”