Shockwaves were sent through the West Virginia political scene last week as one of its top players in the state legislature dropped out of a race to concentrate on running for higher office.

According to WVMetroNews, state House Judiciary Chairman Moore Capito announced his exit from the state legislature due to his ambition to run for governor.

Capito is the Republican son of Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

Last year, he announced his intentions to run for governor, according to the outlet.

What's going on?

Capito penned a lengthy resignation letter expressing his intentions to run for the governor's mansion, and included praise for his time working in the state legislature.

"I want to spend every moment I can listening to West Virginians so I can effectively and responsibly serve as their next governor," Capito wrote.

He added, "This commitment, I have determined, requires that I relinquish my legislative role while pursuing the governorship, which will also avoid even the appearance that the politics of a campaign  might distract from the work of the legislature."

In his letter, he expressed pride in his work over the years as a conservative in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

"Together, we installed the most conservative agenda in West Virginia’s history," the retiring state lawmaker wrote.

He added, "We turned massive budget deficits into surpluses, provided record-breaking tax relief to families and businesses, passed pro-growth economic policies that spurred job creation, put the state on a responsible path to phasing out the income tax, expanded our energy industry, promoted entrepreneurship and innovation and increased educational opportunities for our children."

Justice's blessing

The move to run for governor comes as Gov. Jim Justice is running for a Senate seat out of West Virginia. Capito recently appeared with Justice, though he didn't receive a formal endorsement.

"Moore’s a very honorable, good, good man, and I’m pleased that we’ve got multiple candidates and everything and I’ll make a decision as we go forward if I want to get involved," Justice said.

He added, "But from the standpoint, you should not interpret this as any way other than the fact that Moore contacted us. I found out about it last night, and everything, that Moore wanted to come in and hand deliver or give us his resignation."

Only time will tell if Capito lands his endorsement.