Hawley cited Cornyn’s ability as a fundraiser in extending his support. “In the last two years, nobody has done more to win back the majority than he has,” Hawley said in a statement.

He also mentioned a bill to compensate victims of radiation exposure, a top priority for Hawley that he is still attempting to get through the House.

“He has voiced his support for the RECA compromise that would fairly compensate hundreds of thousands of Americans poisoned by their government, including so many in Missouri,” Hawley said of Cornyn.

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The endorsement breathes new life into Cornyn’s campaign for leader. So far, the only public endorsements have been for Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), his chief competitor in the race, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who unsuccessfully ran for the position two years ago.

Two senators, Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), are on record backing Thune, while a third, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), supports him as well, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, Scott is expected to draw support from the chamber’s more conservative members. One of those senators, Ron Johnson (R-WI), has publicly endorsed Scott.

Hawley, a loud critic of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), was one of 10 Republicans who voted against his leadership bid in 2022, making his vote all the more notable.

Both Thune and Cornyn are close with McConnell, who will retire from leadership at the end of the year, but Cornyn has expressed more openness to reforming how the Senate operates.

McConnell will vote by secret ballot on Wednesday with the rest of his GOP colleagues but has not made an endorsement on his replacement.

Hawley’s backing of Cornyn comes at a critical time in the race. The makeup of the new Congress is now taking shape, with Republicans expected to hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate after Tuesday’s elections.

At the same time, President-elect Donald Trump has taken an interest in who the next GOP leader will be when senators cast their secret ballot next Wednesday. In 2022, he endorsed Scott, but it’s unclear if Trump will again intervene in the race.

All three contenders have promised to be strong governing partners with Trump, but Cornyn and Scott have been more vocal in aligning themselves with him. Thune has publicly asked Trump to remain neutral as the race plays out.

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Cornyn, like Thune, was once critical of Trump’s viability as a presidential candidate after his 2020 loss, but Hawley said he believes Cornyn “will work closely and effectively with President Trump to deliver on the promise of our new majority.”

“I’m delighted to give him my support,” Hawley said in the statement.