Lindsey Graham said he respects Evan McMullin's "views on a strong America and the need to rebuild our military." | Getty Lindsey Graham: I voted for Evan McMullin

Sen. Lindsey Graham voted for Independent conservative presidential candidate Evan McMullin instead of Donald Trump.

I voted @Evan_McMullin for President. I appreciate his views on a strong America and the need to rebuild our military. #3 Advertisement — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 8, 2016

Graham’s decision to back McMullin, a former House Republican staffer who jumped into the presidential race in August, underscores the tense relationship he’s kept with Trump. Graham was one of the most outspoken critics of Trump in the Republican presidential primary. Trump, during a rally in July 2015, even gave out Graham’s personal cell phone number after Graham called the real estate mogul a “jackass.”

McMullin’s strategy centers on winning Utah and splitting the Electoral College vote so neither Trump or Hillary Clinton makes it to 270. That’s a heavy lift, though, and recent polling has shown him trailing Trump in Utah, the state where McMullin’s focused his campaign efforts the most.

In response to the vote, Rick Wilson, one of the McMullin campaign’s top advisers, thanked Graham.