According to AL.com, AL-01 congressional candidate Wells Griffith has picked up a major endorsement from Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin.

“I’ve known Wells Griffith for a long time and consider him a true friend,” Ryan told AL.com’s George Talbot. “Wells is committed to moving our country and our party forward. His dedication to advancing conservative principles is admirable and he will be a strong conservative voice for South Alabama.”

Ryan was the Republican nominee for Vice President in 2012 and would be a top tier candidate should he choose to run for President in 2016. According to a Pew poll released earlier this week, Ryan has the highest favorability rating of any of the potential 2016 GOP candidates.

“Paul Ryan is someone who I admire and am fortunate to call a friend,” Griffith said. “I’m thrilled to have his support. As your next representative I will join leaders like Paul Ryan in the fight to cut wasteful spending, reform our federal government, and protect our South Alabama values.”