SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. – U.S Rep Jody Hice said Monday he’s not going to publicly take sides in the upcoming U.S. senate race between Republicans Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. Doug Collins.

Hice visited the Stanton Springs Industrial Park with Loeffler Feb. 17 and was asked if anything should be read into the joint appearance.

“I’m not taking sides publicly,” he said,” the people of the State of Georgia will work that out. But we have two phenomenal candidates and I’m very proud of both of them."

Loeffler was tapped in January to replace Sen. Johnny Isakson, who resigned at the end of last year due to health reasons. Collins, who was reportedly the choice of President Donald Trump to replace Isakson, announced last month he is running for the seat.

Loeffler and Collins, along with announced Democrats Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, former U.S. Attorney and Georgia state senator from Augusta Ed Tarver and Matt Lieberman, son of former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, are slated to be on November’s ballot in what has been dubbed a “jungle” primary. The election will pit candidates for the seat from all parties against each other on the same ballot, with a runoff likely early next year.