U.S. Rep. Ken Buck and his wife, state Rep. Perry Buck, are among a number of prominent northern Colorado Republicans throwing their support behind restauranteur Rob Woodward in the GOP primary for Larimer County’s open Senate District 15 seat, his campaign announced Monday.

Others Woodward backers include former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, state Rep. Hugh McKean, Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith, Estes Park Town Board Member Cody Rex Walker, former State Rep. Brian DelGrosso and former Loveland City Councilman Troy Kenning.

“As a legislator, Rob Woodward will be a champion for liberty, individual freedom, property rights, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the rule of law. I am supporting Rob because he will fight for families and small business,” ,” Ken Buck said in a statement, adding that he’s “all in” for Woodward’s bid.

Describing Woodward as “just the kind of person we need at the state Capitol,” Perry Buck called him a “man of principle and integrity” and said she has no doubt he’ll make a great senator.

Woodward faces marketing executive and former congressional nominee Nic Morse in a primary for the seat held by term-limited state Sen. Kevin Lundberg, a Republican candidate for state treasurer. The district covers roughly all of Larimer County except for Fort Collins and is heavily Republican.

Schaffer, who represented a Larimer County state Senate district for a decade, said in a statement, “I have had the opportunity to get to know (Woodward) over the past 20 years, and I can assure you that he is a man of integrity who is passionate about our founding principles and preserving our rights. As a businessman, he has a proven record of success, innovation and tenacity. Rob has the ability, desire and leadership skills to bring some common sense into state government.”

Smith said Woodward’s generosity serving his community is a reason for his endorsement.

“Rob always steps forward to help in times of disaster,” the sheriff said in a statement. “Repeatedly, he has offered up food during fires and floods. Rob is a man of action. He business success is a testament to his commitment to hard work. He will make a great State Senator and represent Larimer County and law enforcement very well.”

Woodward and his wife own 28 Subway restaurants in northern Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, as well as other ventures. He bought his first Subway franchise after writing a business plan as a senior at Colorado State University.

Democrats Rebecca Cranston and Ralph Trenary, a former member of the Loveland City Council, are also running for the seat.