Denver's district attorney race splits Democratic leaders

Three former Democratic governors support John Walsh in the Denver district attorney's race. At least 15 current and former Democratic state lawmakers back rival Leora Joseph .

Why it matters: In a down-ballot race for local district attorney, endorsements carry more weight than a high-profile contest because the campaign's supporters are important ambassadors to build support.

State of play: The Democratic contest for the 2nd Judicial District is splitting the party's top leaders and revealing fascinating allegiances that outline how the two candidates hope to win the June 25 primary.

Case in point: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper endorsed Walsh. At least four of his former top aides lined up behind Joseph.

The intrigue: Identity politics and the candidates' background are driving other endorsements, according to interviews with more than a half dozen people involved in the race.

Walsh is backed by national Democratic leaders and big-money players, such as former U.S. attorneys general Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch — a nod to his time as U.S. attorney for Colorado in the Obama administration.

• His longtime involvement in Denver politics also is driving support from current and former elected officials, such as former state House Speaker Terrance Carroll and prominent lawyers like Charles Garcia, the former president of the Colorado Bar Association.

The other side: Joseph is drawing support from the Jewish community, including law firm founder Norm Brownstein, and women in politics, like former First Lady Dottie Lamm.

• She is also being backed by a number of state lawmakers, including current House Speaker Julie McCluskie, whom she works with in her capacity as the head of the Colorado behavioral health agency.

The big picture: The candidates have touted their endorsements on the campaign trail. Walsh celebrates support from the three previous district attorneys, while Joseph mentions support from Moms Demand Action, a gun control organization, and the Denver police union.

What they're saying: "I feel really fortunate to have the endorsements that I've got," Walsh told Axios Denver. "These are folks I've worked with and they know what the job is, and I'm particularly proud of that."

• "I would say that [Walsh] obviously has a lot of establishment endorsements," Joseph told us. "I'm really proud of the endorsements I have, the people who are doing the work now in Denver."

What we're hearing: The contest is less about a deep split in political ideology, though Joseph is voicing a more moderate-to-conservative approach. To put it in presidential terms, the race is more akin to Barack Obama versus Hillary Clinton, than Bernie Sanders against Clinton.

The bottom line: Ian Silverii, a prominent Democratic strategist who is backing Joseph, said in an interview that a healthy Democratic contest makes the party stronger.

• "A party that has a robust conversation about what kind of law enforcement we want in our city is a good one," he said.

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