The executive director of the state Republican Party is urging GOP voters not to meddle in the Sept. 18 Democratic primary.

In a letter Friday to state GOP members, Dylan Nonaka says there’s talk among Republicans about voting for one of two leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates because he is more moderate. That was an allusion to former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

Nonaka says others may vote for the other Democrat — an allusion to former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie — because he may be easier for the Republican nominee to beat in November.

Nonaka says such strategies have not worked in the past and won’t work this year.

The letter was first reported on the Hawaii Free Press website and confirmed by a state GOP spokeswoman.