On Friday afternoon, former President Donald Trump officially endorsed Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance.

Trump called Vance "the most qualified" GOP candidate in the race, which also includes Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Neil Patel, Matt Dolan, Mark Pukita and Jane Timken.

“Like some others,  J.D. Vance may have said some not so great things about me in the past, but he gets it now, and I have seen that in spades,” Trump said in a statement, referring to Vance’s past criticism of the former preisdent.  “He is our best chance for victory in what could be a very tough race,” the release stated.

Trump’s endorsement puts an end to months of speculation about who the former president would back in the primary.

Valley Congressman, Tim Ryan responded to this endorsement in a tweet calling Vance a "Silicon Valley elitist and a phony." The full tweet can be seen below.