Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann on Tuesday endorsed Scott James in the Republican primary in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, calling the Weld County commissioner and former small town mayor someone who understands the importance of community voices.

Kulmann was the runner-up last year in a four-way GOP primary for the battleground seat, which stretches north of the Denver metro area, covering parts of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, a pediatrician and former state lawmaker, defeated 2022 Republican nominee state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, by less than 1 percentage point in one of the closest congressional contests in the country. Caraveo is seeking a second term.

“As a local government leader, Scott James understands the importance of being a strong voice for his community,” Kulmann said in a statement released by Scott’s campaign.

“Our working families continue to struggle with high inflation, staggering rents, and uncertainty in the job market. We need a leader like Scott James who will champion working families and common-sense fiscal policies to remove Washington’s crippling fiscal weight from Colorado families.”

Kulmann, an oil and gas engineer, won reelection to a second term as mayor last week over City Councilmember Julia Marvin, a Democrat, by about 7 percentage points in the nonpartisan race.

James said in a statement that he is honored to win Kulmann’s support.

“Together, we’re not just addressing challenges; we’re building a future where our community thrives,” James said. “I am eager to bring our energy and determination to Congress, working tirelessly to relieve the burdens on Coloradans.”

A former chairman of the Weld County Republican Party and longtime talk radio host, James is facing a primary against state Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, and Larimer County health insurance agent Joe Andujo, who launched his campaign on Saturday.

James won reelection last year to a second term on the county commission after serving four terms on the Johnstown town council and one term as the town’s mayor.

The nearly evenly divided district was created in 2022 and is Colorado’s newest congressional seat. Labelled a toss-up by national election forecasters, it’s been targeted by both national parties and could determine which party holds the House majority after next year’s election.