A newcomer to the Colorado attorney general race already has the endorsement of a political heavy hitter: Ken Salazar, former Colorado attorney general, U.S. senator and Interior secretary under President Barack Obama.

Phil Weiser, former University of Colorado Law School dean and senior advisor to Obama, joins fellow Democratic state Rep. Joe Salazar, who announced he was entering the race earlier this spring.

“We are facing challenging times and a dysfunctional federal government,” Weiser said in a press release posted Thursday to his campaign website. “We need strong, compassionate leadership from our next attorney general to fight for opportunities for all Coloradans and to protect our freedoms.”

In a statement posted to Weiser’s campaign website, Salazar praised Weiser for his leadership abilities and focus on diversity.

“For almost twenty years, Phil has led the charge to train Colorado’s lawyers of the future, to advocate for them, and to be a champion of inclusiveness,” Salazar said in the statement. “His inclusive leadership enabled him to improve the lives of many law students and resulted in successful partnerships with groups ranging from the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association … to the Colorado District Attorneys Association.”

Other endorsers include Aneesh Chopra, former chief technology officer to Obama, and Alice Madden, former state House majority leader, according to Weiser’s website.

Weiser will officially launch his campaign May 20 with a speech at the Pueblo County Courthouse, followed by appearances at the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs later that day and the Garfield County Courthouse on May 22.