A state senator from Springdale became the first Arkansas lawmaker to endorse businessman Donald Trump for president when he announced his support Tuesday afternoon, hours after primary voting began.

In a statement on the Trump campaign website, Sen. Jon Woods said: "I support Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential bid of the United States of America. Donald Trump is a Christian conservative who is strongly pro-life, understands the importance of the 2nd Amendment, supports a limited government, is anti new taxes and loves his family and country deeply. I believe Donald Trump's leadership as president of the United States will make America great again."

The endorsement would have come sooner, but the Trump campaign has been swamped with support, Woods said. Although the announcement came just hours before polling stations were scheduled to close, Woods said he thinks his support will make a difference.

"There’s a lot of people who have not voted yet and plan to do it when they get home from work," he said. "Better late than never."

Woods had supported Mike Huckabee before settling on Trump after the former Arkansas governor suspended his campaign. Woods said being the only state senator to publicly endorse Trump doesn't faze him.

"I’ve been the only one to endorse many candidates in office," he said. "I’m perfectly comfortable with it and confident in it."

Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.