OCEANSIDE, Calif. (AP) - The San Diego Minutemen anti-illegal immigration group withdrew an endorsement on its Web site of a mayoral candidate after learning that the candidate didn't want the organization's support.

Rocky Chavez, who previously belonged to a Latino leadership and networking organization that has been a leading critic of the San Diego Minutemen, told the North County Times that he had not asked for the group's endorsement.

Chavez said in a story posted Thursday on the Times' Web site that he does not support the group or its tactics, which have included patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border in search of illegal crossers.

San Diego Minutemen founder Jeff Schwilk said the endorsement had been based on recommendations from politically active illegal immigration foes in Oceanside.

Schwilk said after learning Chavez did not want his group's backing that the endorsement would stand.

“We're sticking with it, absolutely,” he said.

But a note appearing later on the group's Web site said its support had been withdrawn “due to ties with radical Mexican Government-backed illegal alien activist groups.”