A controversial anti-immigration activist has endorsed state Sen. Tom McClintock (R) in his 4th district primary race with ex-Rep. Doug Ose (R).

“I have followed your track record in California politics and I believe you will be a profound addition to Congress,” Jim Gilchrist, president and founder of the Minuteman Project told McClintock in a statement.

Ose and McClintock are locked in a tough June 3 primary in the race to replace retiring Rep. John Doolittle (R). McClintock is well-positioned to be the hard-liner on immigration policy, having already been endorsed by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.).

In a related development, Ose on Sunday got the endorsement of the Auburn Journal, the fourth-biggest newspaper in the district. The editorial called Ose’s superior knowledge of local issues the primary factor in its decision.

The primary winner will face 2006 Democratic nominee Charlie Brown, who came within 3 points of ousting Doolittle last cycle despite the heavy Republican lean of the district.

— Josh Kurtz