Former President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th Congressional District race on Tuesday, six months after mocking the former podcaster and radio host’s affiliation with a conservative group that opposed Trump’s bid for the presidential nomination.

Trump originally endorsed Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams, a former state lawmaker, for the El Paso County-based seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, but Williams lost the primary to Crank in June by a wide margin. Crank faces Democrat River Gassen and several third-party candidates in the Republican-leaning district.

Calling Crank “a Conservative Warrior who has incredible support from his Community,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social that Crank had Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement” adding, “HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”

Trump said Crank “will Grow the Economy, Secure our Borders, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our Incredible Military/Vets, Champion American Energy Independence, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.” In addition, Trump noted, Crank has been endorsed by “Highly Respected America First Patriots,” including U.S. Reps. Jim Banks of Indiana and Ronny Jackson of Texas.

Crank was among several Republican congressional incumbents and challengers endorsed by Trump on Tuesday, including U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in Nebraska and Nick Begich in Alaska.

In March, days after winning Colorado’s Super Tuesday presidential primary, Trump endorsed Williams and thanked him for helping deliver a “Blowout Victory” over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who trailed Trump by 30 percentage points in the state. Haley later endorsed Trump.

In the same March 12 post to his social media platform, Trump bashed Crank for “(working) closely with Americans for Chinese Prosperity, a Charles Koch Disaster,” a derisive reference to longtime Crank employer Americans for Prosperity, whose political arm endorsed Crank in the primary and spent heavily to support Haley before Trump secured the Republican nomination this spring.

On Tuesday, Crank said in a statement that he was “honored” to receive Trump’s endorsement.

“I’m excited to work with him to get this country back on track,” Crank said. “We must fix the failed Biden-Harris economy, lock down our Southern Border, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Gassen, a scientist and educator, told Colorado Politics she isn’t surprised Trump finally embraced Crank.

“The two have a lot in common and have mirroring views,” the Democrat said in an email.

Gassen said the district needs a representative willing to “fight Trump” if the former president decides to relocate Space Command’s headquarters from Colorado Springs again, as Trump ordered in the waning days of his administration in early 2021. The Biden administration reversed the move last year, citing its conclusion that uprooting the combatant command would delay reaching operational status.

At a primary debate with Williams in May, Crank said he supports keeping Space Command headquartered in Colorado Springs, calling it a matter of military readiness and cost efficiency.

Gassen added that Trump’s record of making “anti-military comments” made her question Cranks’ decision to accept the endorsement.

“We need to prioritize our national security and our constituents over partisanship,” she said.