Bob Smith, one of the four Republicans in the June 3 primary for the 34th Assembly District, has received the endorsement of Chris Simcox, founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps.

In recent campaign talks, Smith has touted his support for securing U.S. borders. The Minuteman corps, named for the colonial militia that fought the British for American independence in the late 18th century, is known for its members participating in musters to stake out the border between the U.S. and Mexico and reporting sightings of illegal crossings to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Simcox confirmed the endorsement this afternoon, adding that he is doing so as a private citizen, not as an official representative of the Minuteman organization.

Smith is expected to join Simcox at an immigration forum Monday in Porterville. The forum begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Hall, 1900 W. Olive Ave. Organizers are asking for a $5 donation to attend.

Smith is facing three other Republicans -- Connie Conway of Tulare, Becky Maze (wife of termed-out incumbent Assembly Member Bill Maze) of Visalia and Jon Zellhoefer of Tecopa -- in the primary contest, each boasting their own conservative credentials.

Just how the Simcox endorsement and the immigration issue plays could be an interesting question in Tulare County, which has the preponderance of the Republican voters in the far-flung 34th Assembly District -- and where Hispanics make up 55% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The district ranges from Tulare County to Inyo County on the far side of the Sierra Nevada to the desert landscape of eastern Kern and San Bernardino counties.

Details about Monday's forum in Porterville: Michelle Perez, Smith's campaign office manager, at (559) 827-4877 or michelle@electbobsmith.com.