MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on xxxxxxx (all times local):

6 p.m.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is praising Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore just hours before President Donald Trump is set to headline a campaign rally for Moore's rival.

But a close confidant says it's not an endorsement.

In a statement released by Moore's campaign, Carson praises the former judge as a "fine man of proven character and integrity."

Carson also says he wishes Moore well and hopes everyone will vote Tuesday.

Carson's move puts him at odds with Trump, who is supporting the establishment-backed incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in the Republican runoff election.

But Carson confidant Armstrong Williams insists the praise is not an endorsement. He says Carson and Moore are longtime friends.

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5:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump is plunging into a Republican runoff election in Alabama that may prove an early test of how much sway he has over his base.

The president was flying to Huntsville, Alabama, Friday to stump for an establishment-backed incumbent over an upstart favored by many of his supporters, including former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

Trump will headline a rally for Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed in February to temporarily fill the seat that opened up when Jeff Sessions became attorney general.

Trump tweeted Friday morning: "Luther Strange has gained mightily since my endorsement, but will be very close. He loves Alabama, and so do I!"