U.S. Rep. Martha Roby gained national attention on Friday after President Donald Trump tweeted his endorsement of her in the Republican run-off.

Roby represents the 2^nd Congressional District of Alabama, including Covington County. She was first elected in 2010.

The president’s tweet surprised many national pundits because Roby was critical of Trump during the 2016 campaign. She publicly stated she would not vote for him after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump could be heard speaking in 2005 about grabbing women without their consent. At the time, she said he was “unacceptable as a candidate for president,” and called for him to step aside.

The 2016 comments were an issue in this year’s Republican primary, used repeatedly by Roby’s opponents. Roby, refused to talk about 2016, but continually touted her record of supporting Trump’s agenda.

The strategy appears to have paid off.

At 6:46 a.m. Friday, Trump tweeted “Congresswoman Mathar Roby of Alabama has been a consistent and reliable vote for our Make America Great Again Agenda. She is n a Republicn Primary run-off against a recent Nancy Pelosi voting Democrat. I fully endorse Martha for Alabama 2^nd Congressional District!”

Roby posted her response at about noon.

“I spoke to President Trump this morning and thanked him for his endorsement in my primary runoff on July 17.

As I’ve said many times, my voting record on behalf of the people of Alabama’s Second District reflects my commitment to a shared conservative agenda with this administration. I’ve enjoyed a positive working relationship with the White House and Republicans in Congress as we fight together to get our conservative priorities over the finish line for the American people.”

Trump’s endorsement surprised many national pundits, as he has not been willing to look past criticism in other races. Politico magazine reported t hat House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy both lobbied the president for the endorsement.

Trump previously endorsed then U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, and later Roy Moore in Alabama’s special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Jeff Sessions. Both candidates lost.

Roby finished first in a field of five candidates in the June 5 primary, pulling 38 percent of the votes cast. Her predecessor, Bobby Bright, got 28.8 percent of the votes cast.

In a statement released late Friday afternoon, Bright said there are many reasons Roby is in a run-off.

“I know the people of the Second District. They are conservative, independent, and patriotic. On June 5^th, 61 percent of the voters rejected Martha Roby: Some because she is beholden to the Establishment in D.C., some because she isn’t visible in the District, and some because she gave up critical seats on the House Armed Services and House Agriculture Committees. Many others rejected her because she denounced President Trump just before his election in 2016.

“I understand politics and how Washington works. It appears the D.C. powerbrokers have gotten to the president on this issue. It’s truly a swamp of insiders controlled by big money special interests, the same crowd who’s bankrolling Martha Roby’s campaign to the tune of over $1 million just this year. It’s a place where loyalty doesn’t exist. When you take that much money from D.C., New York and California, you lose sight of Alabama,” Bright said.

“I support President Trump and his ‘America First’ agenda,” Bright said. “I always will. He can count on me to be his partner to build the Wall, promote peace through strength, and work for prosperity for all.”