Former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer endorsed Donald Trump on Saturday, praising the GOP front-runner’s tough stance on illegal immigration.
“For years, I pleaded with the federal government to do their job and secure our border. Today, we can elect a President who will do just that — Donald J. Trump,” Brewer said in a statement released by the Trump campaign. “Mr. Trump will secure our borders, defend our workers and protect our sovereignty. Mr. Trump will stand for our law enforcement, our police and our immigration officers. Mr. Trump will actually enforce the rule of law.”
“This may be our last chance to ensure our children grow up in a country with borders, and with a government that protects its own people. This is our chance — Donald Trump is our chance — to save this country and Make America Great Again,” said Brewer, who served as Arizona’s governor from 2009 to 2015.
Brewer made national attention in 2010 when she signed a bill that required Arizona police to determine whether a person is in the United States legally. The Supreme Court eventually struck down key parts of the law that sought to deter illegal immigration, but let stand a controversial provision allowing police to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws.
Trump said he was honored to receive the endorsement from Brewer and support from Arizonans.
“I love the state of Arizona and have received incredible support throughout the state,” he said in the statement. “I am leading in all the polls and we have had amazing events with tremendous crowds. I am honored to receive this endorsement from Governor Brewer.”
Brewer’s endorsement comes one day after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Maine Gov. Paul LePage lent Trump their support. Last month, Trump picked up the backing of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who rose to conservative fame with his aggressive roundups of undocumented immigrants and attention-grabbing tactics like clothing inmates in pink underwear.
