AUGUSTA — With five weeks to go until the June 9 primary, state Sen. Jim Libby said Monday he’s endorsing Jonathan Bush in the Republican primary for governor.

“Today I want you to know I fully endorse Jonathan Bush without any reservations,” Libby said. “I look forward to what he’s going to bring to the state of Maine. I have full confidence that he’s going to win the election on June 9 and I’m going to do everything in my power to be sure that he does.”

Libby dropped out of the primary April 9 after he failed to qualify for state funding for his campaign. State ethics officials have said they are investigating a staffer hired by Libby who may have committed fraud while trying the help Libby qualify for the funding.

Standing outside the State House on Monday, Libby said he likes Bush’s policies on taxes, education and healthcare and vowed to help the campaign in the final weeks. 

Even with Libby out, there are still seven men competing for the right to run for governor as a Republican in November. In addition to Bush, Bobby Charles, Ben Midgley, Garrett Mason, David Jones, Owen McCarthy and Robert Wessels will be on the ballot.

On Monday, Charles said recent polling shows him as “the clear frontrunner in the race.”

“Millions have been spent against us, and the voters have not moved,” he said in a statement. “It is time for our party to come together, focus on November, and take back the Blaine House from the Augusta Democrats who have run this state into the ground.”

During the GOP convention in late April, a straw poll showed Charles with 269 votes, Midgley with 230 and Bush with 96. 

Over the weekend, the five Democrats running in their primary touted their achievements and goals during the state party convention. Voters in that primary can choose from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, businessman Angus King III, former Senate President Troy Jackson, former House Speaker Hannah Pingree and former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Nirav Shah.

Bush is a former U.S. Army medic and former CEO of athenahealth. He is the nephew of President George H.W. Bush and cousin of President George W. Bush.

In response to questions from reporters, Bush said he thinks voters are just starting to pay attention to the race and that he’s got a packed schedule for last push toward Election Day.

“I want people to meet me,” he said. “I want to meet people. I want them to get the sense of what it’s like to have me in their lives.”