State Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro endorsed state Sen. Tony Strickland in California’s new 26th district, which both parties are targeting.

Strickland jumped in the race after Rep. Elton Gallegly (R) announced he would retire instead of challenging Rep. Buck McKeon (R) in a neighboring district or run for this new district, just outside of which Gallegly lives.

Del Beccaro is endorsing Strickland over at least one other Republican running in the jungle primary, Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks.

“I’ve known Tony for a long time and there is no one who can represent this community better than him,” Del Beccaro said in a statement. “He has a distinguished record of service to Ventura County families and will make a fantastic representative in Congress. We desperately need more people in Washington, D.C. willing to stand up for fiscal discipline and our shared values.”