Palin Endorses Candidate Who Views Arizona Law As A “Wonderful First Step”

On Thursday, former Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin endorsed State Representative Tom Emmer in the Republican primary for Minnesota’s Gubernatorial race. Taking to her Facebook page, Palin described the candidate as a “patriotic fiscally conservative ‘hockey dad.’” He also happens to be an individual who believes Arizona’s controversial new immigration law is a “wonderful first step.”

Emmer’s description of the law, which grants Arizona police officers the authority to ask those suspected of being in the country illegally for proof of citizenship, was made during a debate Wednesday with another Republican hopeful on the Minnesota Public Radio program Midday with Gary Eichten.

“What Arizona did was a wonderful first step. I'm disappointed at the federal government that's taking issue with the state of Arizona,” said Emmer.

Emmer also noted “I don't know that it's targeting illegal immigrants. It's enforcing the law.”

Palin herself has been vocal on the Arizona law. On Tuesday’s episode of Hannity on Fox News, the one-time Alaska Governor brushed away fears that the law could lead to racial profiling.

"I think it's shameful too that the Obama administration has allowed this to become more of a racial issue by perpetuating this myth that racial profiling is a part of this law."

The Arizona law has received bipartisan criticism. President Barack Obama has argued that the law threatens the trust between police and communities. George W. Bush’s advisor Karl Rove said the law may have “constitutional problems.” Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has expressed reservations with the law as well.