PARKERSBURG — A spokesman for a Republican frontrunner for West Virginia governor on Friday discounted the current governor’s endorsement of one of his opponents.

Gov. Jim Justice Thursday endorsed Moore Capito, a Republican in a six-way race for the party’s nomination led by Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Capito is the grandson of former Gov. Arch A. Moore and the son of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

“If only politicians and swamp creatures voted, of course the liberal son of a senator would win. That’s Capito’s constituency,” said Taylor Van Kirk, Morrisey campaign spokesman.

“But West Virginia Republicans aren’t going to elect someone Donald Trump Jr. rightfully called a RINO (Republican in Name Only),” Van Kirk said. “They are going to overwhelmingly elect Patrick Morrisey.”

Morrisey’s latest numbers from several pollsters put his support at more than 30% of likely Republican voters and leads Capito, Chris Miller and Secretary of State Mac Warner. Miller, of Huntington, is the son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. Other Republicans who filed for the primary election are Kevin “K.C.” Christian of Chloe and Mitch Roberts of Poca.

Steve Williams of Huntington is the only Democrat in the primary and Chase Linko-Looper of the Mountain Party also filed for governor.

Capito said “Justice is a leader of generational consequence” and it was an honor to receive the endorsement.

“Now is the time to take us to the next level,” Capito said. “As governor, I look forward to working with Sen. Justice to keep getting it done for West Virginia by generating new opportunities for West Virginians and those who want to come here for our Wild Wonderful way of life.”

Statements from the Warner and Miller campaigns were not immediately available.

The primary election is May 14. Early voting is from May 1-11.

“We have good candidates, and I admire each for their individual accomplishments. As I have watched this campaign mature, however, I am saddened by the ridiculous mudslinging. I have realized only one candidate is laser focused on continuing to keep us on the path of goodness for all of us,” Justice said in his statement released through the governor’s communications office. “I think only one truly understands that we got here by pulling the rope together. Our great turnaround story still has chapters to be written, and I believe one candidate is prepared to keep the course.