Senate hopeful Adam Hasner picked up the endorsement of former Florida Speaker and businessman Allan Bense (R) Tuesday. Bense will become the chairman of Hasner’s campaign.

Hasner, the former Florida House Majority Leader, is locked in a nasty battle with former Sen. George LeMieux for the GOP nomination to take on Sen. Bill Nelson (D) next year. Also running in the primary are retired Army Col. Mike McCalister and former Ruth’s Chris Steak House CEO Craig Miller.

“I’ve known both Adam and George throughout the years, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Adam is the principled conservative that Florida Republicans should support,” Bense said in a statement released by the Hasner campaign. “Adam has a long record of standing up for mainstream, conservative principles that no other candidate in this race can match.”

In an email to supporters, Hasner said endorsements like Bense’s were important. “The support of grassroots conservatives and conservative leaders across Florida and the country will make the difference in this race.”

Roll Call rates the Florida Senate race as Leans Democratic.