Trump’s campaign said in a statement Tuesday that Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, was endorsing the billionaire businessman. Trump’s campaign noted that he’s “honored” by the endorsement.

The endorsement comes less than two weeks before the critical lead-off Iowa caucuses, where Trump is locked in a dead heat with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Palin was a virtual newcomer to the national political arena when Sen. John McCain named her as his running mate but has since risen to prominence as one of the most outspoken conservatives in the party.

She signed on as a Fox News commentator after resigning as Alaska’s governor in 2010, a job she held until last year.