Calling Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz a “friend to the American people,” U.S. Senator Mike Lee endorsed the Texas senator in a press conference Thursday in Coral Gables, Florida. Lee is the first U.S. senator to endorse Cruz, saying that Cruz is not only a close, personal friend but a professional ally.

Lee went on to say that Cruz does what he says he’s going to do, and tells the truth. “Ted possesses both of those characteristics to a very, very significant degree,” Lee said, “a remarkable degree, in fact.”

Calling on Americans to unite behind Cruz, Lee said, “It’s time to elect Ted Cruz for president.” Lee, who’s also close to Marco Rubio, said he’d tell the Florida senator, if asked, to “get behind Cruz.”

Senator Lee’s endorsement is a glowing recommendation for Cruz in an election that looks increasingly like a two-candidate race.