Former Iowa state Sen. Jim Carlin (R), who lost his GOP primary bid for U.S. Senate this month, is refusing to endorse the race’s victor, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), as she kicks off her general election campaign to succeed retiring Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

In a statement posted to his campaign website, Carlin thanked his supporters for helping him fight the “political establishment,” but he suggested, “It is time we seriously consider” letting GOP establishment candidates lose — including Hinson.

“Let me be direct: I cannot in good conscience ask you to vote for Ashley Hinson,” Carlin wrote in a statement. “She does not share our values and a Republican label is not enough. It has never been enough. And until our party understands that our votes must be earned, not assumed, nothing will change.”

Carlin suggested “perhaps it is time for something new,” adding, “And if standing for those things means losing elections for a season, then so be it. Better to lose fighting honorably than to win by surrendering everything that matters.”