Since then, I’ve received an outpouring of supportive messages from family, friends and supporters, and it really means a lot to me – I wish I had time to respond to every message so you know how much I truly appreciate it.

Yesterday, I appeared on CNN’s The Situation Room for a conversation with Wolf Blitzer to set the record straight about those allegations and the false reporting about me that has persisted over the past few days. I want to be judged on my service: 20 years in the military, two deployments (including one in Iraq), a police officer who has responded to thousands of calls for help, and a Sheriff who has cut response times while reducing my own budget.

I hope you will stand with me as I move forward and continue my efforts to bring attention to the issues that really matter in this election year: securing our border and ending the record debt and deficit spending that is stalling our economy and bankrupting the country we all love.

Many of you have asked how you can help – and for that I am forever grateful. If you are interested in making a donation to my campaign, click here. If you are interested in volunteering on the campaign, click here. And if you simply want to spread the word to your family and friends, you can do so through my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Together let’s show America what we stand for – a secure border, sound fiscal policy, and standing up for our Constitution.

Thank you for your support.

Yesterday, a tabloid article made a number of false allegations about me. Only one was true: I’m gay. Today, I held a press conference to discuss this. I want to be judged on my service: 20 years in the military, two deployments – including one in Iraq, a police officer who has responded to thousands of calls for help, and a Sheriff who has cut response times while reducing my own budget. I hope you will stand with me as we talk about the issues that matter: securing our border and ending the record debt and deficit spending that is stalling our economy and bankrupting the country we all love.

In Arizona, our legislature passed Senate Bill 1070 – to enforce the laws the Federal government won’t enforce – and the Federal government’s solution is to sue our state rather than simply enforcing immigration laws.

Then the Federal government put up signs in Pinal County – which isn’t even a border county but is still the #1 pass through county for drug and human smuggling – warning people to not travel through the area because it is too dangerous.  Again, they do this rather than enforcing immigration laws.

And then to make matters even worse, the Obama Administration has allowed 2,000 high powered weapons to be given to some of the most violent criminals in America, resulting in the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and hundreds of people in Mexico.  President Obama, Janet Napolitano and Eric Holder then have the nerve to turn around and attack our second amendment rights.

Furthermore, we have a President who is dividing our country along economic boundaries, pitting those of us who earn a living against those who want to “occupy” their way into a life they’ve never earned.

As a Sheriff and someone who has sworn an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, I won’t allow this to be the future of America.

The race in the 4th Congressional District of Arizona is a fight for a return to the conservative values that you and I believe in.  This is a fight to define the Republican Party.  When we look and act like Democrats, we will lose and we should.  We need to stand up for the Constitution, and we need to stand up for the rule of law.

I‘m a patriot, and I’m standing up for our Constitution and for America.

To do this, I need your help and support.  This is our country, and we need to fight for our future.

Are you with me?

“I’m incredibly humbled by this overwhelming support,” Sheriff Babeu said. “I rely on the support of ordinary people giving sacrificially, people who are deeply concerned about the direction of our country. Together I know we can get America back on track.”

Public Opinion Strategies conducted a survey of likely voters for the Babeu campaign, to determine their choice for Congress. The results were as follows:

Paul Babeu – 31%
Paul Gosar – 23%
Ron Gould – 19%

Of those who “definitely” know their choice, Babeu has double the support of both Gould and Gosar.

Definitely Paul Babeu – 21%
Definitely Paul Gosar – 12%
Definitely Ron Gould – 10%

“Babeu is well positioned to win this race,” said Glen Bolger, founding partner of Public Opinion Strategies. Babeu has solid leads among “very conservative voters, Tea Party supporters, strong NRA supporters, and base Republicans,” said Bolger, whose memorandum on this poll can be downloaded here.

Gosar recently announced his candidacy in a district 50 miles from his house, abandoning a district with 70% of his current constituents, citing his “base” in Yavapai County. Bolger called his support there “underwhelming.”

Babeu strategist Chris DeRose said “If this is Gosar’s base, I’d hate to see the part of the district that doesn’t like him. Voters in this new district won’t like his liberal record any more than the one he’s running from.”

These findings dovetail an independent poll published in the Arizona Capitol Times Yellow Sheet:

Total respondents: 744
Gosar 19%
Gould 17%
Babeu 29%
Tobin 5%
Undecided 30%

Public Opinion Strategies is the most trusted name in Republican polling. Founded in 1991, it counts as clients 80 members of the House of Representatives, 19 United States Senators, and 6 governors.

Download the Public Opinion Strategies poll results here.

As a first responder, I’m trained to run toward dangers that others run away from. Right now, the biggest threats facing our country are from Washington. We have record debt and deficit spending, the biggest intergenerational theft in the history of the world. We have a system that punishes job creators and leaves many millions unemployed. We have an unsecured border that allows the drug cartels to operate freely in our country, and results in 400,000 illegal crossings into our state every year.

How have our leaders responded to these threats? This Congress approved the largest debt ceiling increase in American history. The administration transferred 2,000 high powered weapons to the most dangerous criminals in North America, punishing whistleblowers and rewarding those responsible for “Fast and Furious.” Then they sued Arizona for doing the job they won’t do. While Americans watch their savings disappear, we have credible allegations of insider trading by members of Congress.

It’s time for a new Sheriff in Washington. The American people are sounding a giant 911 call on Washington. And I’m responding.

Are you with me?