Former Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul, a U.S. senator from Kentucky, has given his support to Roy Moore in the Alabama senate race.

Paul's backing is the latest in a wave of GOP endorsements in recent days for Moore leading up to the Dec. 12 election against Democrat Doug Jones.

" Judge Roy Moore has spent a lifetime defending and standing up for the Constitution while fighting for the people of Alabama," Paul said in the announcement from the Moore campaign. "We need more people in Washington, D.C. that will stand on principle and defend the Constitution. I look forward to welcoming him to the Senate very soon."

On Monday, Moore announced the endorsement from Utah Sen. Mike Lee. And last week, the campaign announced the endorsement of Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh as well as 23 other legislators.

I am honored to receive the support and endorsement of Senator Rand Paul, for whom I have great admiration and respect as fellow defender of our conservative principles , " Moore said in a statement. "I look forward to working with him in the United States Senate to defend our Constitution, secure our borders, fix our national debt, and allow the free enterprise system to create more jobs across Alabama and the nation."