BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's Republican Party has endorsed U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins for his re-election bid, early backing aimed at shoring up support for a congressman who faces a challenge within his own party.

The state GOP announced Monday its executive committee voted to endorse Higgins in the 3rd Congressional District, representing southwest and south central Louisiana. Party Chairman Louis Gurvich described Higgins as a "true Cajun conservative."

Higgins captured the seat two years ago as an outsider candidate, and his race for re-election is dividing people within the Republican Party.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, lawyer for President Donald Trump, was in Lafayette on Monday to help Higgins' Republican opponent Josh Guillory.

But Trump is supporting Higgins, posting Sunday on Twitter: "we want Clay!"

The primary election is Nov. 6.

.@RepClayHiggins has been a great help to me on Cutting Taxes, creating great new healthcare programs at low cost, fighting for Border Security, our Military and are Vets. He is tough on Crime and has my full Endorsement. The Great State of Louisiana, we want Clay!

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— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2018