Conservative writer and radio host Erick Erickson is endorsing independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin.

"The reality is Evan McMullin’s candidacy is a long shot," Erickson wrote on his website Friday, calling the 40-year-old former Republican official and CIA veteran a "sane alternative."

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"Though he may not win, he might at least provide disaffected conservatives an excuse to show up and vote down ballot," Erickson said, referring to House and Senate races.

Erickson argued that "many are so disgusted by 2016 that they will not even show up" while McMullin gives them a reason to vote.

He noted McMullin's service as a CIA officer for 11 years, as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and as a Republican policy staffer on Capitol Hill.

Erickson, who said McMullin is on track to be on 40 state ballots by November, described Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBubba Wallace to be driver of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin NASCAR team Graham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE (R), Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJoe Biden looks to expand election battleground into Trump country Biden leads Trump by 12 points among Catholic voters: poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE (D), Gary Johnson Gary Earl JohnsonWhat the numbers say about Trump's chances at reelection Presidential race tightens in Minnesota as Trump plows resources into state The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden condemns violence, blames Trump for fomenting it l Bitter Mass. primaries reach the end l Super PAC spending set to explode MORE (L) and Jill Stein's (G) candidacies as "profoundly unserious."

The McMullin endorsement isn't particularly surprising. Erickson has long criticized Trump. He took a shot at his "privileged background" in his latest article where he stressed that he still opposed Trump despite many people "begging me to reconsider."

In May, Erickson said he'd advocate for Mitt Romney, whose previous bids he opposed, entering the race.

He was also part of the broader effort to find a conservative alternative to Trump before the businessman locked up the GOP nomination over the summer.

"I am realistic that Evan McMullin has a limited change of winning. But I am idealistic enough to hope for better than Clinton or Trump," he wrote Friday.