Democratic district attorney candidate Matt Maillaro announced endorsements Tuesday from the sheriff of the largest county in the 18th Judicial District, a former top prosecutor from a nearby district, and a prominent gun-control advocate.

Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown, former Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett and Jane Dougherty, whose sister was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, are throwing their support behind Maillaro, an assistant district attorney in the south-metro district, his campaign said.

Maillaro is facing a primary against Democrat Amy Padden, another prosecutor, in the race for the office held by term-limited Republican George Brauchler. John Kellner, Brauchler’s chief deputy district attorney, is the only GOP candidate in the running.

Brown, a Democrat, said he’s endorsing Maillaro because he’ll “always put safety before politics.”

“I know how critical a strong working partnership with the District Attorney’s office is for the safety of the community and the success of the corrections system,” Brown said in a statement. “Since I took office, I have worked alongside Matt Maillaro and believe in his vision. His experience and community connections will give him the head-start needed to implement his vision.”

Dougherty said in a statement that she’s been working to help pass gun safety legislation in Colorado since the 2012 shooting that ended the life of her sister Mary Sherlach, the school psychologist who rushed the Sandy Hook gunman.

“I want our elected officials to stand up for gun safety and be willing to take action to save lives,” Dougherty said. “I know Matt Maillaro is just such a person. My sister Mary was incredibly brave. I tell legislators and other elected leaders that they need to be brave like Mary. I believe Matt will do just that.”

Garnett, who stepped down after 10 years as Boulder’s DA in early 2018 to take a position at the powerful Denver law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, called Maillaro “unquestionably the most qualified individual to lead Colorado’s largest DA office.”

Said Garnett: “Matt’s dedication to criminal justice reform in Colorado has impressed me. I believe he will be able to enact real change very early in his administration. There is a historic opportunity for Coloradans in this upcoming election, but particularly the residents of the 18th Judicial District. Never before have they elected a democratic DA – I believe Matt is going to change that.”

The roughly 1 million residents in the 18th Judicial District, covering Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, make it Colorado’s largest. In the 58 years since the district was formed, its voters have only elected Republican DAs.

Maillaro said in a statement released by his campaign that the pillars of his campaign are criminal justice reform and public safety.

“This campaign is about experience – it’s about the experiences of our community as much as it is about my experience as a criminal prosecutor for over 20 years,” he said. “I am committed to real justice and reform, and having the support of so many community and public safety leaders keeps this campaign moving forward.”