Reindeer rancher Kerry Bentivolio (R) picked up the backing of freshman Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) today in the primary race in the 11th district.

“Having spent time with Kerry over the last few weeks and having listened to his vision for our country, I believe that Kerry is someone we can count on to do what’s right, not just what’s easy,” Amash said in a statement released by Bentivolio’s campaign.

The endorsement comes one day after Bentivolio’s campaign announced it was on the air with a TV ad. It’s yet another sign the once-unknown Republican aims to run a competitive race for the GOP primary against former state Sen. Nancy Cassis, a write-in candidate.

Earlier this month, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R) dropped his re-election bid after his campaign submitted ballot petitions filled with errors and duplicate names. Bentivolio was then the only Republican left on the party’s ballot, but local GOP officials started searching for a new write-in candidate to support in the Aug. 7 primary.

Michigan GOP officials settled on Cassis, who sources say plans to put $200,000 of her own money into the race.