ATLANTA (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush has endorsed Republican David Perdue over the CEO of a nonprofit he founded, Democrat Michelle Nunn, in Georgia's closely watched Senate race.

Bush said Monday that Perdue "will be an independent voice for Georgia while working for positive solutions to our toughest challenges." The move was expected as Bush had pledged to support the GOP nominee.

The race has national implications, with Democrats seeing Nunn as one of their best chances to thwart GOP plans to take control of the Senate.

Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, has been on leave from Points of Light since announcing her campaign. In a statement, Nunn said she has "enormous respect" for the former president and touted their work together as a "model Washington can learn from."