FreedomWorks PAC has endorsed former Capitol Hill aide Igor Birman over former Rep. Doug Ose in the crowded GOP primary for California’s 7th District.

“The constituents of California deserve better than a rank and file follower or a recycled politician searching for another turn in the spotlight,” FreedomWorks PAC President Matt Kibbe said in a release. “Igor is a policy expert who understands exactly what needs to be done to get our country back on track and he has the spine to stand up and make sure it happens.”

The super PAC typically supports conservative candidates aligned with the tea party. Birman, who most recently served as chief of staff to Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., is running in a GOP primary against autism activist Elizabeth Emken and Ose. The former congressman represented a large portion of the 7th District from 1999 to 2005.

The trio are looking to oust Democratic freshman Rep. Ami Bera, who won the seat in 2012 in one of the closest contests of the cycle. But the GOP primary in this district is expected to be ugly — so much so that Republicans privately say it could hurt the party’s chances at a picking up the seat in the general election.

Many conservatives do not like Ose, who retired from Congress in 2005 due to self-imposed term limits.

In 2008, he attempted to return to Congress, but lost a brutal Republican primary to McClintock. In that race, the Club for Growth spent heavily against Ose and it has suggestedit may look for an alternative candidate this cycle as well.

California’s 7th District is rated a Lean Democrat contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.