Effingham County commissioner Reggie Loper has endorsed former Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens in his bid to become state attorney general.

Olens also was chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission and has picked up the backing of state House of Representatives Majority Leader Jerry Keen.

Olens is one of three Republicans, including Preston W. Smith and Max Wood, vying to replace Thurbert Baker as attorney general. The partisan primary will be held July 20.