Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson praised former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in a campaign press release Friday, breaking from President Trump.

Moore is facing off against Sen. Luther Strange in the Alabama Senate primary. Trump officially endorsed Strange in early August, while Moore has drawn endorsements from Sarah Palin and former White House aide Sebastian Gorka.

“Judge Moore is a fine man of proven character and integrity, who I have come to respect over the years. I was delighted to hear he is running for the US Senate. He is truly someone who reflects the Judeo-Christian values that were so important to the establishment of our country. It is these values that we must return to in order to make America great again. I wish him well and hope everyone will make sure they vote on Tuesday,” Carson said in a statement.

Armstrong Williams, a Carson confidant, told the Washington Examiner that the statement was not a formal endorsement, but added that Carson and Moore are longtime friends, and that Carson “does not abandon his friends.”

Polling consistently puts Moore ahead of Strange in the primary election.

Trump will visit Alabama Friday night to campaign for Strange. (RELATED: There’s A Strange GOP Primary Going On In Alabama)