Seasoned political operative Maisha Fields, the daughter of state Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, has joined Democrat Levi Tillemann’s congressional campaign as political director, the campaign announced Thursday.

Fields, who held a similar position on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign, got her start in politics more than a decade ago when her younger brother Javad and his fiancee, Vivian Wolfe, were murdered in Aurora the night before he was set to testify in another case. Along with her mother, she worked to strengthen Colorado’s witness protection programs and provide better support for victims, and she she served as deputy campaign manager for her mother’s 2008 campaign. Fields is executive director of the Fields Foundation, established in memory of her brother and his fiancee. The nonprofit dedicated to helping youth in north Aurora overcome disadvantages.

“We are thrilled and excited to have someone of Maisha’s caliber and expertise join our staff,” Tillemann said in a written statement. “Maisha and I are deeply aligned in our progressive values and our commitment to prioritize people over power. She is a trusted community leader, a working mother, one of the brightest, hardest working political operatives in the state and a powerful addition to our team!” He added that her first initial “stands for momentum.”

Tillemann, a clean energy expert and author, is one of four Democrats running for the battleground 6th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a five-term Republican.

Others in the Democratic primary are Aurora attorney and Army Ranger combat veteran Jason Crow, pharmaceutical sales rep Jennifer Diffendal and activist Erik Stanger. Attorney David Aarestad, who had been running for nearly a year, withdrew from the race earlier this week and endorsed Crow.

All four candidates are pursuing a spot on the June primary ballot through the district assembly, which takes place April 12 at Gateway High School in Aurora. Candidates will need to get the support of at least 30 percent of delegates to make the primary. On Tuesday, Tillemann submitted petitions with 1,400 signatures to the secretary of state’s office, which is in the process of verifying them. If he has 1,000 valid signatures from registered Democrats, that would also qualify him for the ballot. Candidates who opt for both routes have to get the support of at least 10 percent of assembly delegates.

Highlands Ranch Republican Roger Edwards is challenging Coffman in the GOP primary.