Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll has announced that he's in the corner of former state lawmaker Jonathan Paton in the five-way GOP primary in Congressional District 8.

Earlier this week, former state lawmaker and CD8 candidate Randy Graf announced he was supporting Republican Jesse Kelly in the race.

Get any sense that the Rosemont Mine issue played a role here?

From the Paton campaign:

Jonathan Paton is proud to announce that he has earned the endorsement of Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll, the longest serving Republican elected official in Pima County.

"Only one candidate has the background, experience, and drive to occupy this congressional seat. That candidate is Jonathan Paton," Carroll said. "Jonathan will protect our borders, cut wasteful spending, and oppose President Obama's reckless spending like the health care

bill. I ask you to please join me in supporting Jonathan."

"I am honored and humbled to have the support of Supervisor Carroll, a leader in standing up against the local political machine and the Democratic majority on the Board of Supervisors," Paton said in response. "It's Supervisor Carroll who has led the fight against our local tax-and-spend policies. With the support of a true leader like Ray Carroll, I'm confident we will see victory."