Businessman Bill Flores has secured the support of Chuck Wilson, one of the Republican candidates in the 17th Congressional district who fell short of making next month’s runoff.

Wilson, a real estate businessman and former CIA case officer, is backing Flores over Rob Curnock, the 2008 Republican nominee, in a runoff on April 13. Flores outran Curnock 33 percent to 29 percent in a five-candidate race in which Wilson finished fourth, with 15 percent.

According to a release from Flores’ campaign, Wilson said that Flores “has the better understanding of what life in Central Texas is all about.”

Dave McIntyre, an educator and Army veteran who placed third in the primary, has said he will back the GOP nominee, though his former campaign manager is backing Flores in the runoff.

The fifth-place finisher, nurse Timothy Delasandro, supports Curnock.

The winner of the runoff will face Rep. Chet Edwards, a Democrat who did not have primary opposition.