Roy Moore’s campaign manager said the National Rifle Association is now supporting the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in the Alabama special election.

Former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead, who runs Mr. Moore’s campaign, told The Washington Times the nation’s most powerful gun rights group has swung its support behind Mr. Moore after investing heavily in Sen. Luther Strange in the GOP primary race — a move that angered some conservatives.

“Early on the NRA, you know, supported our opponent Luther Strange, but then … we met with them and they are on board with us now,” Mr. Armistead told The Times.

Asked about the group’s involvement in the race, NRA spokesperson Jennifer Baker said it has not yet released its ratings for the election, and said it is not unusual for that to happen closer to Election Day.

An NRA endorsement would be the latest sign that Mr. Moore is rebounding after falling behind Democrat Doug Jones in the polls amid allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against him last month.

Polls show Mr. Moore has regained the lead in a race that has captured national attention.

Mr. Moore has vowed to defend the Second Amendment and showed his support for for gun rights by pulling out a gun at a rally during the GOP primary race. Mr. Jones, a former U.S. attorney, also has said he wants to protect gun rights and said that the nation must “shore up” the National Crime Information System for background checks in order to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and ensure that law-abiding citizens can purchase firearms.

In the GOP primary, the NRA dumped more than $1 million into Mr. Strange’s campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Mr. Moore also received large contributions from the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who has worked closely with the NRA and called for Mr. Moore to quit the race in response to the allegations of sexually predatory behavior.

Voters head to the polls on Dec. 12.

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