The National Rifle Association is endorsing Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate race in Alabama.

The NRA-Political Victory Fund announced the endorsement, citing Sessions' known track record in the Senate. Sessions faces former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in the March 31 Republican primary runoff. The winner will face Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., in November.

"Jeff Sessions has long been a stalwart defender of Second Amendment freedoms for law-abiding Alabamians," said Lars Dalseide, a spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

Sessions has been forced into a tight primary race as he seeks to recapture the Senate seat he held for 20 years. Tuberville led in the primary, taking 33% of the vote to Sessions' 31%.

Polling has shown Tuberville ahead of Sessions by double digits.

President Donald Trump spurned his former attorney general to endorse Tuberville in a tweet.

"He will be a great Senator for the people of Alabama. Coach Tommy Tuberville, a winner, has my Complete and Total Endorsement. I love Alabama!"

Newsmax writer Eric Mack has contributed to this report.