Sheriff Joe Arpaio Nod Enlivens Upstart Philip L. Liberatore's Race to Unseat Rep. Gary Miller

Photo by Beth Stirnaman

Sheriff Joe Arpaio (right) stumps for Orange County sheriff candidate Bill Hunt last November.

​Teabaggy sheriff wannabe Bill Hunt is apparently not the only Orange County candidate "Toughest Sheriff in America" Joe Arpaio is squarely behind.

Philip L. Liberatore

​Philip L. Liberatore announced today that he, too, has been endorsed by Arpaio, who is known for strict policies against illegal immigrants, people in jail and Village Voice Media owners.

Liberatore, who runs a tax accounting firm in La Mirada, is squaring off against incumbent Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar), for the Republican nomination in the the 42nd congressional district.

The district stretches from Whittier, where Liberatore lives, in Los Angeles County down through Orange County to Mission Viejo, and also includes select parts of San Bernardino County. It's been gerrymandered for maximum conservative support, which the upstart candidate is counting on to unseat a fellow Republican who also trumpets conservative cred.

Rep. Gary Miller works the bible thumpers.

​The Liberatore campaign included the following statement it attributed to Arpaio:

"Our nation needs strong credible leadership, especially in today's difficult economical time. We need leaders that will defend the Constitution and will fight for hard working taxpayers and their families. Phil Liberatore will fight to enforce our current immigration laws and complete the border fence. I believe Phil Liberatore is the man for the job."

"I'm honored to have the support of Sheriff Joe, someone who has so much experience and wisdom to share," Liberatore says in the same statement. "He is a valuable asset to my campaign."

He also boasts the endorsement of consumer advocate Mike "Bogey" Boguslawski, who worked to recall California Governor Gray Davis.

Meanwhile, the Liberatore for Congress website includes an item claiming pastor Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, "is publicly expressing his admiration" for the congressional candidate. Included is the following attributed to Pastor Chuck:

"Unless righteous men stand for public office our country will surely crumble. I have known Phil for a number of years and have great respect for him. He loves God, his family and his country and right now our nation needs men like Phil who will stand in the gap. I'm glad he's answering the call to service."

Himself an ordained minister, Liberatore gives financial counsel from a biblical perspective and has written two books, God Money and You and An Inside Look at the IRS. How to Solve all of Your Financial Problems is scheduled to be released this summer.