OCEANSIDE -- Mayoral candidate Rocky Chavez this week rejected an unexpected endorsement from the San Diego Minutemen, a group that has made a name for itself in North County by protesting day laborers and illegal immigrants.

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"I've not requested an endorsement from the Minutemen," he said, adding that he doesn't support the group or its tactics.

Chavez was previously a member of El Grupo Sin Nombre, a Latino leadership and networking organization. More recently, the group -- now named El Grupo -- has become one of the leading critics of the San Diego Minutemen.

San Diego Minutemen founder Jeff Schwilk said earlier this week that he did not meet with Chavez about the endorsement and that it was based on "recommendations from folks we know in Oceanside who are politically active and concerned about illegal immigration."

On its Web site, the group lists candidates in several races that it supports in the Nov. 4 election including Oceanside City Council candidates Jack Feller and Jim Gibson.

The list of endorsements includes prominent local Republican representatives and candidates, such as U.S. Reps Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach, and Darrell Issa, R-Vista; Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad; and Escondido Councilmen Ed Gallo and Sam Abed.

Told that Chavez did not want his endorsement, Schwilk said simply: "That's up to him what he wants to say."

He confirmed that Chavez had not sought his endorsement.

Asked if Chavez's comment gave him second thoughts, Schwilk said Monday that it did not.

"We're sticking with it, absolutely," he said, about the endorsement.

However, on Thursday the Minutemen's Web site said the group's support for Chavez had been withdrawn.

Chavez said Monday he had been asked about the endorsement by some community members. He said he believed the endorsement was a ploy by his political opponents to sabotage his campaign.

"I'm trying to put together a moderate coalition for the city," Chavez said. "I did not request or want (Schwilk's) endorsement."

Staff writer Craig TenBroeck contributed to this story.

Contact staff writer Edward Sifuentes at (760) 740-3511 or esifuentes@nctimes.com.