Some big-name Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter and former Gov. Bill Ritter, are endorsing state Rep. Dave Young in his campaign for Colorado state treasurer, Young’s campaign announced Tuesday.

He was also endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, the Democrat who made an unsuccessful bid for state treasurer in the last election, as well as more than 30 current and former state lawmakers and county officials.

Young is one of four Democrats running in a primary for the office held by term-limited Walker Stapleton, a Republican candidate for governor.

Democrat Charles Scheibe – the Treasury Department’s chief financial officer under Stapleton and his Democratic predecessor Cary Kennedy, who is also running for governor – jumped in the primary just hours before Young’s campaign unveiled the slate of supporters. State Rep. Steve Lebsock of Thornton and political newcomer Bernard Douthit are also campaigning for the office, as are six Republicans in the GOP primary.

Perlmutter said in a statement he’s supporting Young because the Greeley lawmaker has taught in Colorado for more than 20 years and “knows firsthand that Colorado needs to do a better job funding our schools.” He added: “I am supporting Dave for Colorado state treasurer because he will advocate for increased public education funding and key investments to support the next generation of Coloradans.”

Ritter pointed to Young’s campaign pledge to bring more transparency to the office’s management of the state’s roughly $6.5 billion in annual funds.

“Dave will work to increase transparency at the treasurer’s office so Coloradans know how their taxpayer money is being spent, and work to ensure our tax dollars are invested wisely,” Ritter said in a statement.

Markey, who lost a run against Stapleton in 2014, offered her support to Young: “Dave has a record of standing up for middle class families, rural Colorado and progressive policies at the state Legislature, and will continue do so as state treasurer.”

The following legislators and county officials are also getting behind Young, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Joint Budget Committee:

State Reps. Jeni Arndt, Janet Buckner, James Coleman, Jessie Danielson, Daneya Esgar, Mike Foote, Joann Ginal, Millie Hamner, Chris Hansen, Edie Hooten, Dominique Jackson, Chris Kennedy, Pete Lee, Susan Lontine, Barbara McLachlan, Dafna Michaelson-Jenet, Jovan Melton, Dan Pabon, Brittany Pettersen, Dylan Roberts and Tracy Kraft-Tharp; state Sens. Daniel Kagan, John Kefalas, Andy Kerr, Dominick Moreno and Nancy Todd; former House Speaker Mark Ferrandino; Pueblo County Commissioner and former House Minority Leader Sal Pace; former state Sens. Rollie Heath and Pat Steadman; and former Boulder County Commissioner Josie Heath.

“The response to our campaign message of increased transparency, accountability, additional funding for education, and reprioritizing investments to help the middle class has been overwhelming,” Young said in a  statement. “I am honored to have the support of so many Democratic and progressive leaders throughout Colorado and look forward to continuing to share our campaign message throughout the state.”