On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., endorsed former President Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

“If Republicans want to beat Joe Biden and rescue America from the mess he’s created, Republicans must nominate the strongest candidate. President Trump has a proven track record of strong leadership. During his presidency, America’s economy was booming, the border was secure, and China was being held accountable. It’s time for Republicans to come together and unite behind President Trump,” Scott’s office insisted.

Scott wrote a piece that appeared in Newsweek explaining his decision.

“It’s time for the Republican Party to come together, behind one candidate, and declare with one voice that we are united in our efforts to defeat Joe Biden and rescue America,” Scott wrote. “I know most of the candidates running for president, and I respect their decision to put themselves through this very difficult process. They’ve made their case to voters, laid out their agendas and their plans, and told their stories. Make no mistake: every single one of them would be a better president than Joe Biden. But Republican voters are making their voices heard loud and clear. They want to return to the leadership of Donald Trump.

“President Trump will be our nominee because America was safer and more prosperous when he led our nation. Our economy was booming, and we were achieving energy independence. He took on Communist China and stood up to dictators in Latin America. He did more for Israel than any other president in our history, bringing stability and peace in the Middle East though the Abraham Accords, while Joe Biden is undoing all the work his administration accomplished,” Scott added.

Scott’s endorsement is a blow to Gov. Ron DeSantis who had been in second place in most polls but who has increasingly heard former Gov. Nikki Haley’s, R-SC, footsteps in national surveys and those looking at key caucus and primary states.

While Scott had been neutral in the presidential race up till now, DeSantis could see some Florida Republicans jump ship on him. Last month, state Rep. Randy Fine, R-South Brevard, switched his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump. There are reports that several other Republican state legislators could soon flip from DeSantis to Trump, including as soon as this weekend.