U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett of Westminster became the latest high-level Republican to jump into the GOP's state education superintendent primary with an endorsement for Spartanburg's Karen Floyd.

Barrett joins Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson of Lexington in the Floyd camp.

Floyd's major opponent, Robert Staton, former member of the of state's Education Oversight Committee, was not available for comment.

Barrett said he had no doubt that Floyd is "the conservative choice for Education. Karen's platform of school discipline and reform, and her proven leadership in elected office and business tells me that she will be able to bring real improvements to our public schools."

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Barrett's announcement came during a press conference at the Aiken County Library.

Floyd is a lawyer-businesswoman and mother of two school-age children.

Wesley Donehue, Staton's campaign spokesman, dismissed the endorsement.

"When you don't have experience, I guess endorsements are the next best thing. While Karen Kanes Floyd focuses on working the halls of Congress for votes, Bob Staton will continue to work the neighborhoods of South Carolina," Donehue said.

The June 13 primary will be a five-way fight involving Floyd, Staton, Charleston businesswoman Elizabeth Moffly, Kerry Wood, a computer programmer from Leesville, and Michael Ryan, a Surfside Beach businessman.

Jim Rex, a former university administrator, is the Democratic nominee.

Two-term incumbent Democrat Inez Tenenbaum is not running again.