State representative Steve Sukup says he’s been endorsed by more than fifty of his fellow lawmakers in his bid to become governor. He says their constituents respect the elected lawmakers and so their voter backing’s also behind his candidacy. The republican from Dougherty is vying for his party’s nomination to challenge democratic governor Tom Vilsack.Sukup’s also been endorsed by David Oman, chief of staff to former governor Robert Ray. Oman says as a former candidate, he knows it’s important for a party to pick the right person. He says the party “lowered the bar” with its nomination choice four years ago and lost the governorship. Sukup faces Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Platz and Des Moines lawyer Doug Gross in the June primary. Gross announced this week he’ll begin running TV ads featuring an endorsement from his old boss, former governor Terry Branstad.