Border security activist group endorses Schmidtke

By Greg Phillips

Published: May 30, 2008

The founder of a grassroots border patrol activist group officially endorsed Dr. Craig Schmidtke, R-Dothan, for the 2nd Congressional District seat Friday in Dothan.

Jim Gilchrest, president of the Minutemen Project, announced the endorsement at Poplar Head Park with Schmidtke by his side.

“If we are going to maintain our stature as a nation governed under the rule of law, we actually have to enforce these laws. I see in Dr. (Schmidtke) the passion to keep this nation at its stature as a nation governed by the rule of law,” Gilchrest said.

Schmidtke said the endorsement further strengthened his resolve.

“I’m honored and humbled, because this is a citizens’ organization that has chosen to endorse me. It just proves that a civilian not from the political arena can make a difference and do what’s right to support our country,” he said.

The Minutemen endorsement comes because Schmidtke’s beliefs about immigration are in line with the group’s.

“We are literally on the same page,” Gilchrest said. “We both believe in a legal immigration. I’m a product of immigrants, but of legal immigrants. We also both believe that if we can relieve ourselves of this illegal alien invasion crisis, we can also relieve ourselves of the economic consequences that have come along with it.”

Schmidtke agreed.

“We honor legal immigrants, and we have to protect the rights of those who chose to do this legally,” Schmidtke said.

Gilchrest described the Minutemen as “the world’s largest neighborhood watch.”

Schmidtke wasn’t the only candidate receiving an endorsement this week, however.

State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, received an endorsement from the Susan B. Anthony List in Arlington, Va.

The organization was founded in 1992 with the intent of advancing the role of pro-life women in the political process.

“The Susan B. Anthony List is a well-respected pro-life, pro-family organization,“ Smith said in a press release. “Needless to say, I am honored to receive its endorsement and support in my race for Congress.”