Praising her commitment to the African American community, the nonpartisan Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance on Thursday endorsed Democrat Ilana Spiegel in the race for University of Colorado regent from the 6th Congressional District.

“As the president of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, it was my pleasure to support Ilana Spiegel’s endorsement for CU Regent. She has the heart and vision we need on the board,” said Bishop Jerry Demmer, who leads Denver’s Absolute Word Church, in a statement.

Spiegel, an Englewood parent and education advocate, is the only Democrat running for the open seat. The incumbent, Highlands Ranch Republican Jon Carson, isn’t seeking a second, six-year term.

Highlands Ranch Republicans Priscilla Rahn and Richard Murray are also running for the seat, which covers Aurora and portions of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.

The election could determine which party controls the nine-member board, which oversees the CU system’s roughly $5 billion annual budget and make key hiring and policy decisions for the university’s four campuses: CU Boulder, CU Colorado Springs, CU Denver and the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

The board, which includes seven members from each of the state’s congressional districts and two at-large members, is currently split 5-4, with Republicans in the majority.

“Ilana Spiegel has a proven record of standing up for Colorado families and students. As a former CU educator, I’m proud to stand with her and her commitment to the African American community,” said Dr. Marjorie Lewis, a member of alliance, which represents African American faith leaders.

Spiegel said in a statement that she stands with the Alliance’s leaders in the 6th District’s diverse communities.

“Our curriculum, faculty, and student body at the University of Colorado are strengthened by being reflective of the diversity we share in Colorado and across CD 6,” she said.