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Republican congressional candidate Randy Graf has won the endorsement of political superstar John McCain — a significant step, the campaign says, toward unifying moderates and conservatives.

"Randy Graf's record as a state representative has demonstrated his commitment to the values important to the people of Arizona," McCain said in a written statement provided to the Arizona Daily Star.

"His voting record on issues such as supporting our military, reducing taxes and reining in election and welfare fraud bodes well for his future in the U.S. Congress," McCain wrote. "I urge the voters of the 8th district to support him on November 7th. It would be a pleasure to work with him in Washington."  

Graf, who is running against Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, had failed to win the endorsement of Republican Jim Kolbe, the congressman who is retiring from the seat after 22 years.

Graf described McCain's support as a turning point in the campaign for Congressional District 8 and "a great honor."

"John McCain has served this nation with amazing courage and great dignity," Graf said in the statement. "He is a shining example of public service."

"The tide is clearly turning our way," he said.

The campaign hopes the endorsement by McCain, who is popular among some Democrats and independents, is the boost Graf needs to keep the high-profile race competitive.

The two agree on a number of issues — both oppose abortion rights, oppose same-sex marriage, advocate small government, support the war in Iraq and have been openly critical of President Bush at times. The Graf campaign described McCain's "unwavering support of U.S. military troops" as one of the election's key issues.

But they have a clear ideological difference on illegal immigration. Graf disagrees with McCain's position that illegal immigrants should be allowed a path to citizenship.

Despite that, McCain — largely seen as positioning himself for a 2008 presidential bid — made the decision to publicly throw his support behind Graf last week, said spokesman Paul Hickman, adding that they disagree on "the approach to the immigration problem."

"He likes Randy," Hickman said. "He agrees with him on most issues that Republicans hold dear."

For Graf, the race has been a roller coaster since he won the party nomination in September. National Republicans seemed enthusiastic, then pulled out television-ad buys. And Kolbe congratulated Graf on his win, but refused to endorse.

In an interview by phone from Washington Saturday, Kolbe said he didn't think the McCain endorsement was very significant but said "it's certainly got to help" Graf in appealing to moderates.

"I'm certainly not surprised," he said. "Supporting the party ticket is pretty normal."

Graf campaign manager R.T. Gregg downplayed the significance of McCain and Graf's differences on immigration, saying that all politicians have varying differences on issues.

"I'd rather focus on what they agree on," Gregg said. "There are Republicans that we need to attract to our campaign, and I think that John McCain has a pretty good reputation with those Republicans we need to attract."

Republicans have long worried that some voters might either sit the election out or cross party lines due to low approval ratings for President Bush and Congress.

The fallout from the resignation of Florida Rep. Mark Foley following revelations of Internet sexual messages to teenage boys has renewed those worries.

McCain's endorsement has proven influential before. In the Republican primary race for Arizona governor, party activist Don Goldwater led in the polling but on Election Day Phoenix lobbyist Len Munsil won by a comfortable margin, credited, in part, to a late endorsement from McCain.

In polling, Giffords leads Graf by anywhere from 8 to nearly 20 points. Republicans are the dominant party in District 8.

Graf has also been endorsed by Arizona's other senator, Republican Jon Kyl.