Jason Crow, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 6th Congressional District. Photo by Sara Hertwig/Aurora Sentinel 
US Rep. Mike Coffman speaks to the press before a town hall meeting on Wednesday April 12, 2017 at Education Building 2 South in the CU Anschutz Campus. Photo by Gabriel Christus/Aurora Sentinel 
David Aarestad 
Levi Tillemann speaks during his event where he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 6th Congressional District. (Ramsey Scott/Aurora Sentinel) 
Roger Edwards
AURORA | Democrat Jason Crow, who is challenging two fellow Democrats to take on Aurora Congressman Mike Coffman, has earned the support of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ anti-gun violence organization.
Giffords.org, which was established after the Arizona Democratic congresswoman was the victim of a mass shooting while she was meeting with constituents, endorsed Crow, a veteran Army Ranger, because he “has shown the courage to stand up to the gun lobby and help lead the effort to reduce gun violence in our country,” said Giffords in a statement.
“As someone who grew up a hunter, I support Second Amendment rights. As an Army Ranger and combat veteran I have also seen first hand what guns can do to human life. My opponent, Congressman Mike Coffman, has taken more money from the gun lobby than any other member of the Colorado delegation,” Crow said in a statement about the endorsement.
Coffman has received nearly $31,000 from gun rights groups, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan think tank that tracks campaign finance.
Crow has called on Congress to block the deregulation of gun silencers, a factor in the endorsement.
“Military veterans are some of our nation’s foremost experts on guns. They know it’s important to work together to protect both our rights and the security of our communities, and for that reason, I believe Jason is uniquely qualified to make lasting change in Washington D.C.,” Giffords said.
Coffman is also facing challenges from Roger Edwards, a Republican from Highlands Ranch, and two Democrats: Levi Tillemann, a tech entrepreneur, and David Aarestad, an Aurora lawyer.