Presidential hopeful Rick Perry announced Tuesday that he had earned the endorsement of
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the controversial but influential Arizona lawman
known for his tough stance on illegal immigration.
"It's a pleasure and honor to endorse you for president," said Arpaio in New Hampshire Tuesday in video posted by The Texas Tribune. "One reason I like him is he's been fighting this battle as governor. He doesn't just talk about it. He does something about it."
Arpaio's endorsement had been highly coveted among GOP candidates. In
addition to the Texas governor, he met personally with Michele Bachmann and Herman
Cain in Phoenix and spoke to Mitt Romney over the phone.
"I'm not going to criticize other candidates ... they're all good people, but the governor is the governor for 12 years and he's sent much resources to the border," added Arpaio.
Arpaio, known as "America's Toughest Sheriff," has served as the
Maricopa County sheriff for 20 years and is a veteran of the U.S. Army
and Drug Enforcement Agency. Arpaio endorsed Romney over Arizona Sen. John
McCain in the 2008 Republican presidential primary.
For more details on Arpaio's endorsement, click here.
