MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rev. William Owens, the founder and President of the Coalition of African-American Pastors, has endorsed former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore in the state’s U.S. Senate race. Owens showed his public support for Moore in a photo posted on Twitter featuring his family at an event for Moore.

With my family in Montgomery, Alabama to support Judge Roy Moore! pic.twitter.com/K5SmABYyzf

— Rev. William Owens (@caapusa) June 6, 2017

In a tweet of his own, Moore thanked Owens and his group for backing his campaign. “Beautiful family! Thank you!” Moore wrote. “Honored to have the support of the Coalition of African-American Pastors!”

Moore elaborated on the endorsement for Yellowhammer and noted its significance in the fight for biblical causes. “I am honored to have the support of my friend Reverend Owens and the Coalition of African-American Pastors,” Moore said. “For over 20 years his organization has helped mobilize pastors in the African-American community to get involved in the important battles of our day, standing up for Godly principles and strengthening families. It is important, now more than ever, that we send someone to Washington who will stand up to the political establishment and for the people of Alabama.”

According to its website, the Coalition of African American Pastors, USA is a movement of evangelical Christians who support restoring the role of religion in American public life, protecting unborn children, and returning marriage to an institution between one man and one woman. It is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Roy Moore’s record in public life is one of a staunch social conservative. The Alabama Court of the Judiciary removed Moore from the bench in 2003 when he refused to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Judicial Building, despite orders from a federal court to do so. After returning to the bench in 2013, he was again removed by the same court for an order he issued to state probate judges instructing them to violate the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.

10 Republicans have officially declared their candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions (R). In addition to Moore, the final list of GOP contenders includes James Beretta, Joseph Breault, Randy Brinson, U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-5), Dom Gentile, Mary Maxwell, Bryan Peeples, State Senator Trip Pittman, and sitting U.S. Sen. Luther Strange.

Party primary elections will be held on August 15, with a possible runoff on September 26. The general election is set to take place on December 12.