The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, the state’s largest police union, Wednesday announced it has endorsed Democrat Tom Sullivan for the state House District 37 seat in Centennial over the Republican incumbent, Cole Wist.

Both candidates have made a name for themselves on gun issues, with Sullivan losing a son in the 2012 Aurora theater mass shooting and Wist having defied his party on a key gun-safety measure in this year’s legislative session.

Wist, who served as assistant house minority leader in the last session, is running for his second full term in the House. Wist was initially appointed to the seat in January 2016, replacing Rep. Jack Tate, who was appointed to the Senate.

Wist was a co-sponsor, along with Democratic Assistant House Majority Leader Alec Garnett of Denver, of the 2018 session’s hottest gun bill – House Bill 1436, a.k.a. the “red flag” bill – that would allow a family member or law enforcement to obtain a temporary court order to remove guns from someone who is believed to be a risk to themselves or to others.

The measure was named for Douglas County Deputy Zack Parrish, who was gunned down in Highlands Ranch on New Year’s Eve 2017 by a mentally unstable man.

The measure in early May passed in the Democratic-controlled state House, with Wist among the few Republicans voting yes, but died on a party-line committee vote in the GOP-led state Senate.

Sullivan is best known as the father of Alex Sullivan, one of the victims in the Aurora theater shooting, in which James Holmes, armed with several guns, killed 12 people at a midnight movie screening; 70 others were injured.

“When my family and I needed law enforcement officers most on that terrible night in 2012, they were there for us,” Sullivan said in a statement. “While my opponent claims to support our community’s law enforcement officers, his record speaks otherwise. I will always stand up for their safety, the wages and benefits they deserve, and the services they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively.”

The Sullivan campaign pointed to a “no” vote by Wist on a bill sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police to extend worker’s compensation benefits for those involved either “psychologically traumatic events” or “serious bodily injury.” Wist voted in favor of a bill on revoking a peace officer’s certification, a measure opposed by the police union.

Wist, asked for a response to the endorsement, told Colorado Politics that this isn’t “the first or last time that a union’s leadership does not accurately reflect the views of its members. I am proud of the strong support I have from so many men and women in our law enforcement community. I am forever grateful that public servants like Zack Parrish, Heath Gumm and Micah Flick have given all to keep our communities safe. Every law enforcement officer I meet reflects that same dedication and integrity.

“I am proud of my record of support for law enforcement and the legislation I’ve sponsored to make our communities safe,” Wist added. “I will continue to keep public safety a top priority at the State Capitol.”

Sullivan has been focused on the gun control issue ever since 2012, yet Wist was lauded by many from both major parties for his political courage for sponsoring the red flag bill.

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) did not take a position on that bill, according to lobbyist records from the Secretary of State. Mike Violette, the CFOP’s executive director, said the group was not opposed to it conceptually but didn’t have enough time for its legislative committee to assess it.

In their endorsement statement, FOP President Stephen Schulz said, “Mr. Sullivan’s history of commitment to public safety, fairness, and public service has earned him this highly sought endorsement. We believe he is the best candidate for this office to support Colorado’s law enforcement officers in their quest to keep our communities safe and to lead Colorado into a new era.”

The FOP previously endorsed Republican George Brauchler for attorney general over Democrat Phil Weiser.

Brauchler, along with Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock, testified in favor of the red flag bill during its run through the House during April and May. The measure lost in the Republican-controlled Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee the day before the end of the 2018 session.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won the House district by 6 points in 2016.