County commissioners representing more than half of Colorado’s counties are endorsing Republican gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton, his campaign said Monday.

The two-term state treasurer, one of 10 Republicans running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, unveiled the slate of 57 officials from 33 counties the day before voters are set to attend precinct caucuses.

“County commissioners work every day on behalf of their communities and deal with many of the unintended consequences of the disconnected legislation that is passed in Denver,” Stapleton said in a statement. “It is important and encouraging for us to earn the support of these elected officials who have a unique understanding of the issues facing local communities across our state.”

The commissioners supporting Stapleton – all Republicans except for three unaffiliated commissioners from Chaffee and Montezuma counties – cited his attention to local government and and rural Colorado, as well as Stapleton’s campaign last cycle against a ballot measure that would have established a single-payer health system in the state.

“Walker has brought the right perspective to the treasurer’s office,” said El Paso County Commissioner Mark Waller, a former state lawmaker, in a statement. “He came in as a businessman and has never been afraid to take a bold stance on major issues affecting our state. He fought against the single-payer health care initiative and took down the largest tax increase in Colorado history.”

Another one of El Paso County’s five commissioners, Stan VanderWerf, is also backing Stapleton.

Mesa County Commissioner Rose Pugliese said she’s convinced Stapleton understands the effects the governor’s office has on counties throughout the state.

“Walker has an acute awareness of the issues that arise when policies are implemented without consulting local communities,” she said in a statement. “Far too often, politicians in Denver pass laws without any consideration of what happens on the ground level. Walker’s commitment to rural Colorado is noticeable in the approach I have seen him take as treasurer, and I have faith he will continue that effort as our next governor.”

At the same time he announced the endorsements, Stapleton took a shot at one of the leading Democratic candidates for governor, five-term U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who unveiled a proposal a week ago to work with western states to establish a regional “universal, single-payer option” for health care coverage.

“Our campaign is putting together the grassroots organization necessary to win the primary and beat Congressman Polis in November,” Stapleton said in a statement. “Just last week, Congressman Polis recycled another bad Bernie Sanders idea of moving Colorado to a single-payer healthcare system, which would raise taxes, kill jobs and cripple Colorado families. The county commissioners supporting our campaign, alongside voters across Colorado, know that Congressman Polis’ plans would devastate communities across Colorado.”

Polis argued in an Aspen Times article that his plan was the best way to tackle health care challenges in rural Colorado, which has some of the highest insurance and provider costs in the country.

“I’m running for governor because it’s time for us to translate the core value that health care is a human right into public policy,” he wrote. “It’s not only the right thing to do, but the most cost-effective way to reform health care in the long-term.”

Along with two other Republicans running for governor – businessmen Victor Mitchell and Doug Robinson – Stapleton is petitioning onto the primary ballot, although by Monday morning, he was the only GOP gubernatorial candidates who had submitted signatures to election officials. Statewide candidates have until March 20 to deliver 10,500 valid signatures from fellow party members in order to qualify for the June 26 primary.

GOP candidates taking the caucus and assembly route – including Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Larimer County Commissioner Lew Gaiter III, former Parker Mayor Greg Lopez and former Trump campaign official Steve Barlock – will have to win the support of at least 30 percent of delegates to the party’s April 14 state assembly in Boulder, a process that starts at precinct caucuses Tuesday night.

In addition to Polis, six Democrats are running for governor, including Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, former state Sen. Mike Johnston, D-Denver, and businessman Noel Ginsburg.

Here’s the list of commissioners supporting Stapleton:

Darius Allen, Alamosa CountyNancy Sharpe, Arapahoe CountyJeff Baker, Arapahoe CountySpike Ausmus, Baca CountyRick Butler, Baca CountyPete Dawson, Baca CountyDave Potts (unaffiliated), Chaffee CountyRod Pelton, Cheyenne CountyPatrick Ward, Cheyenne CountyFrank Grant, Crowley CountyDon Suppes, Delta CountyRoger Partridge, Douglas CountyLora Thomas, Douglas CountyMark Waller, El Paso CountyStan VanderWerf, El PasoTim Payne, Fremont CountyDwayne McFall, Fremont CountyJohn Martin, Garfield CountyTom Jankovsky, Garfield CountyMike Samson, Garfield CountyRich Cimino, Grand CountyMerit Linke, Grand CountyPhil Chamberland, Gunnison CountyCindy Dozier, Hinsdale CountyStan Whinnery, Hinsdale CountyJeff Benson, Jackson CountyLibby Szabo, Jefferson CountyTina Francone, Jefferson CountyCindy Mcloud, Kiowa CountyBrad Blake, La Plata CountyByron Pelton, Logan CountyRose Pugliese, Mesa CountyRamona Weber, Mineral CountyRay Beck, Moffat CountyDon Cook, Moffat CountyFrank Moe, Moffat CountyLarry Don Suckla (unaffiliated), Montezuma CountyKeenan Ertel (unaffiliated), Montezuma CountyGlenn Davis, Montrose CountyRoger Rash, Montrose CountyMark Arndt, Morgan CountyJim Baldwin, Otero CountyWendy Buxton-Andrade, Prowers CountyTom Grasmick, Prowers CountyShawn Bolton, Rio Blanco CountyJeff Rector, Rio Blanco CountySi Woodruff, Rio Blanco CountyKarla Shriver, Rio Grande CountyGene Glover, Rio Grande CountyCari Hermacinski, Routt CountyNorm Steen, Teller CountyMarc Dettenrieder, Teller CountyLea Ann Laybourn, Washington CountyBarbara Kirkmeyer, Weld CountyMike Freeman, Weld CountyJuie Cozad, Weld CountySteve Moreno, Weld County