Aurora NAACP leader Omar Montgomery picked up the endorsement of another sitting member of Congress in his race against a former congressional member and four others in the city’s mayoral contest.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat from Denver, is backing Montgomery. Former U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a Republican from Aurora, is considered a top contender for the office this November.

“Omar is the kind of leader Aurora deserves and our regional partners need,” DeGette said in a statement. “He is a collaborator who puts communities first. As a federal elected leader, I know the importance of working together on the needs in our region, including those of our veterans, transportation and affordable housing. I look forward to working with Omar on the issues impacting so many of us.”

The race also includes former council members Ryan Frazier, Marsha Berzins and Renie Peterson, along with write-in candidate Tiffany Grays, a self-described socialist.

DeGette’s district borders but does not include the Aurora, which is in the 6th Congressional District served by Democrat Jason Crow, who defeated Coffman last November.

Crow and fellow Democrats in Colorado’s U.S, House delegation, Joe Neguse and Ed Perlmutter, also have endorsed Montgomery, along with former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and his wife, Wilma Webb, a former state legislator.

Montgomery called DeGette a “widely respected and well-known leader with decades of effective advocacy for all communities.”

“I have studied the successes of Rep. DeGette as well as those of Reps. Jason Crow and Joe Neguse, and I pledge to bring that same progressive, public service commitment to our diverse community,” he said in a statement announcing DeGette’s backing. “My vision as mayor is to create One Aurora.”

DeGette faces a Democratic primary challenge next year from former Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran.