Former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown on Wednesday endorsed Weld County Commissioner Scott James in the Republican primary in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District.

James is one of three Republicans running for the nomination to challenge first-term U.S. Rep, Yadira Caraveo, a Thornton Democrat, in the state’s newest congressional district.

“Scott James will be a great Congressman,” Brown said in a statement released by James’ campaign. “He is focused on solutions which encourage prosperity for his community and he is willing to collaborate with anyone willing to get the job done. I know Scott will work tirelessly to turn our economy around, drive down cost of living, keep our communities safe, and prioritize Coloradans.”

Brown added that he believes James will “play a key role” in keeping a Republican’s House majority after next year’s election.

A longtime radio personality and former chairman of the Weld County GOP, James is facing state Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, and Joseph Andujo, a Larimer County health insurance agent and first-time candidate, in the primary.

Rated a toss-up by national election forecasters, the nearly evenly divided district covers parts of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties north of the Denver metro area.

Caraveo won election last year by just over 1,500 votes in one of the closest congressional races in the country. The district is targeted by both national parties.

A decorated Navy veteran, Brown served one term in the U.S. Senate from 1991-1997 after representing northern Colorado’s 4th Congressional District for five terms. After leaving Congress, Brown served as president of the University of Northern Colorado and later was president and CEO of the Daniels Fund until he took over as president of the University of Colorado in early 2005, a position he held for three years.

This fall, Brown endorsed U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Republican primary challenger, Jeff Hurd, and headlined a fundraiser in Denver on Tuesday night for the Grand Junction attorney.

James called it a “profound honor” to receive Brown’s support.

Said James: “His wealth of experience and dedication to the people of Colorado is inspiring and I am committed to prioritizing the needs of our communities, and working to achieve positive outcomes as Hank Brown always has. I will bring the same kind of competence and common sense to the U.S. House of Representatives that made Senator Brown a respected Colorado institution.”