Ilana Spiegel, a Democratic candidate for the Congressional District 6 seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents, announced on Thursday an endorsement from the district’s sitting congressman.

“The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a thriving part of our district,” said U.S. Rep. Jason Crow in a press release. “We are proud to be a part of the CU family and support Ilana Spiegel for CU regent because she has the knowledge and leadership to be a fierce advocate for the University of Colorado and help our university be a flagship for the country.”

CU regents serve six-year terms. The incumbent is John Carson, a Republican who won with over 55% of the vote in 2014. He announced in August that he will not seek reelection in 2020.

Spiegel has been a teacher, a writer and a staff developer with the Public Education & Business Coalition.

Her other endorsements to date include state Treasurer Dave Young, Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse. The American Federation of Teachers, Colorado Building Trades and Construction Council, and Colorado Working Families Party also back her.

Republicans have had a majority on the board since 1979, and the partisan split is currently 5-4. The regents set the university’s budget and hire the president, among other responsibilities.