Republican Ron Unz, trying to vault his U.S. Senate campaign into November, said Monday that he’s been endorsed by former Rep. Ron Paul.

In a prepared statement released by Unz, Paul cast the software developer and one-time gubernatorial candidate as strong, courageous and willing to weigh in on controversial issues. Unz said he supported Paul during his runs for president, writing in his name when the Texas libertarian wasn’t listed on the ballot.

“He opposed our government’s disastrous recent foreign wars and corrupt bailouts of Wall Street special interests, and would have saved the American taxpayer the many trillions of dollars these cost,” Paul said of Unz. “Whether or not you agree with him on every individual issue, he would be a principled, independent-minded government greatly needs his voice and his ideas.”

Unz is scheduled to appear alongside Democrats Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez, and fellow Republicans Tom Del Beccaro and Duf Sundheim in San Diego on Tuesday for their second debate in as many weeks. Harris has led in every public opinion poll, and the top-two candidates advance to November.

Unz has taken unorthodox stances such as backing a higher federal minimum wage. At the recent debate in Stockton, Unz criticized President Barack Obama’s national security record, but, he added, “the Bush administration’s was even worse,” blaming the Republican for helping foment terrorism in the Middle East.