RICHMOND, Va. -- Two of Virginia's top Republican elected state officials have endorsed former Gov. Jim Gilmore's U.S. Senate bid.

Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling announced their support for Gilmore today in a news release.

Gilmore, who was governor from 1998 to 2002, is an anti-tax hard-liner who faces a nomination fight from Del. Robert G. Marshall May 31 at the state GOP convention.

The Prince William County Republican was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that resulted in a state Supreme Court ruling last month declaring unelected regional transportation authorities with taxing power to be unconstitutional.

The Republican nominee is expected to face Democratic former Gov. Mark R. Warner in November for the seat of retiring Sen. John W. Warner.