North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who challenged former President Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination until late last year, announced a surprise endorsement of his former competitor on Sunday, the eve of the Iowa caucuses.

Burgum, who opted against being critical of the former president during his own 2024 bid, made the announcement at Trump’s Sunday afternoon rally in Indianola, located in suburban Des Moines, while on stage with his wife Kathryn. 

“Today, I’m here to do something that none of the other presidential primary candidates have done, and that’s endorse Donald J. Trump for the president of the United States of America,” Burgum said to cheers from the crowd. 

Burgum used his remarks to highlight his differences with President Joe Biden’s policy positions, saying that the 46th president is “wrong on the economy, he’s wrong on energy, and he’s wrong on national security.”

“When I first took office, President Obama was still president. Trying to work with his administration was a disaster,” Burgum explained. “Then President Trump took office and everything changed. States like Iowa, states like North Dakota, Heartland states, we were respected. We had a friend and a partner in the White House, who understood us and who wanted to see our state succeed versus being regulated out of business.”

“He just has a great record in everything he’s ever done, so on behalf of the Trump family we thank you,” Trump told Burgum on stage in response to the endorsement.

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The North Dakota governor, who suspended his campaign in early December, focused his bid squarely on the economy, energy, and China, though he failed to gain enough traction to qualify for more than the first two debates. 

His conciliatory efforts likely place him in good standing with Trump, making him a possible Cabinet pick in a future administration.