Topeka ? Traditionally, Gov. Sam Brownback backs his fellow Republicans against Democrats in the general election.

But he is not supporting Jack Wu, a Republican who is running for State Board of Education for the 4th District, which includes most of Lawrence.

Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for Brownback, said the governor doesn’t support Wu, a Topeka resident who is a self-described follower of Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church.

Wu is challenging incumbent State Board of Education member Carolyn Campbell, a Democrat from Topeka.

Asked for comment on the governor’s decision, Wu responded in an email, saying, “As I’ve told other reporters, I don’t actively solicit donations. And as for non-physical or emotional forms of support, it’s actually very good that I don’t have Brownback’s support.” Wu also made reference to the fact that Brownback is a Catholic and to issues the Catholic Church has had with priests and child sexual abuse. “The poor governor needs to obey the commandments of God and stop being a vile Catholic,” Wu added.

In a recent fund-raising letter Campbell said of Wu, “Like most Kansans, I believe my opponent’s views are wrong for our state.”

Campbell has said she is concerned that in a down-ballot race in a district that was re-shaped by redistricting, voters may not get important information about the candidates.

“A great deal of my district is new to me and I need your help to let voters know that I believe in strong public schools and the modern curriculum our students need to succeed,” she said in the letter.

On his website, Wu said he is running for State Board of Education “to throw out the crap that teachers are feeding their students and replace it with healthy good for the soul knowledge from the holy scriptures.”

He says evolution should never be taught in public schools as science. Campbell has said she believes evolution should be taught in public schools.

Wu also says he moved to Topeka from California “after seeing the light of Westboro Baptist Church.” The church frequently protests homosexuality and pickets the funerals of military members.