Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Thursday endorsed Donald Trump and left the door open to becoming the Republican vice presidential nominee.

“He is not a perfect man. But what I do believe is that he loves this country and he will surround himself with capable, experienced people and he will listen to them,” Perry told CNN. “He wasn’t my first choice, wasn’t my second choice, but he is the people’s choice.”

Perry had harsh criticism for Trump early on in the presidential race while the Texas governor was still a presidential candidate. He blasted Trump’s “toxic mix of demagoguery and nonsense” in July.

But on Thursday, Perry praised Trump and his presidential bid.

“He is one of the most talented people who has ever run for the president I have ever seen,” Perry told CNN.

When asked whether he would consider being Trump’s running mate, the former Texas governor did not rule it out.

“I am going to be open to any way I can help. I am not going to say no,” Perry said. “We can’t afford the policies and the character of Hillary Clinton.”