The rhetoric in the Republican gubernatorial primary race is getting so nasty state Party Chairman Robert Graham is urging the candidates to cool it. 

In a letter, Graham says he’s been getting email, calls and letters from party members concerned about the tenor of the campaign.

“We're right in that heated spot where emotions are at the pinnacle. And so it's just a gentle reminder like, look, just keep holding down the fort, don't go any deeper than you need to and let's stay on point here," Graham said.

Graham said he’s concerned with more than the party’s image. He worries the mud-slinging could pave the way for the election of Democrat Fred DuVal in November's general election.