Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania’s Republican primary for governor, siding with the conservative candidate who was outside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and backed Trump to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Mastriano was already leading a crowded field of contenders despite running against the party establishment, and the former president’s endorsement put him on an even stronger footing heading into Tuesday’s primary. Ultimately Trump’s endorsement paid off.

There were growing fears from party leaders heading into the Gubernatorial that Mastriano, a 2-term state senator, and retired U.S. Army colonel, was too extreme to beat Democrat Josh Shapiro in November’s general election and could drag down other Republicans competing in the battleground state.

The Associated Press called the race for Mastriano with 49% of the expected votes in. Mastriano garnered 43.8% of the votes to runner up Lou Barletta who was lightyears behind with only 22.4% of the votes.