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PHOENIX — A state lawmaker who wants to reinstate a 1950s federal deportation program called "Operation Wetback" is under criticism again for sending supporters information from a white separatist group.

Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, has apologized for sending the e-mail about the National Alliance, a West Virginia group that considers Jewish people its enemy and frowns at mixing people of different races.

But that hasn't stopped criticism from all directions, including state GOP leaders.

Arizona Republican Chairman Matt Salmon called the e-mail a "severe mistake" while U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth says he no longer supports Pearce in his re-election bid.

"Given the regrettable and disturbing nature of the e-mail Russell Pearce circulated earlier this week, I cannot in good conscience lend my endorsement to his candidacy for state representative," a statement from Hayworth said.

"While Russell has issued an apology for his e-mail, I nonetheless will not be associated with any communication that contains anti-Semitic remarks."

The article, entitled "Who Rules America? The Alien Grip on Our News and Entertainment Media Must Be Broken," is critical of how the media portrays "any racially conscious White person who looks askance at miscegenation or at the rapidly darkening racial situation in America."

The article says the "media masters" force on the public their view of "a world in which every voice proclaims the equality of the races, the inerrant nature of the Jewish 'Holocaust' tale, the wickedness of attempting to halt the flood of non-White aliens pouring across our borders. ..."

Pearce said he immediately sent two apologies to supporters after sending the e-mail. He claimed not to know what the group was and that he had not read the entire article before copying it into his e-mail.

"My heart is really hurt to think something like that would go out under my name," Pearce said Tuesday. "I was very embarrassed I didn't have better diligence and read the whole article."

Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano said Pearce's remarks show "an accelerating pattern" of extremism.

In a radio interview last month, Pearce called to revive a massive 1950s deportation program for illegal immigrants called "Operation Wetback." Pearce refused to apologize for using the word "wetback" — a pejorative that many consider offensive.

"I think it's becoming clear that Russell Pearce is out of the mainstream of Arizona," Napolitano said Wednesday.

"He doesn't speak for Arizonans. He's so far to the right that his contribution to public discourse is limited."

Bill Straus, director of the Anti-Defamation League's Arizona Region, told the East Valley Tribune he was surprised that Pearce, chairman of one House Appropriation Committee and one of the GOP's leading voices in the state on immigration issues, did not immediately recognize the National Alliance or its affiliated National Vanguard publication.

Strauss said he does not believe Pearce shares the beliefs espoused in the National Alliance article and said the lawmaker called him to personally apologize about it.

Tammie Pursley, Pearce's Democratic opponent in Mesa's District 18 legislative contest, said that Pearce's e-mail is "just another layer of divisiveness" from Pearce and said she was concerned a political leader was not more careful about what he is sending people.

Pearce did not respond to an e-mail or calls from The Associated Press to his office and home Wednesday. A secretary at his office said he was busy at meetings all day.

Barrett Marson, a spokesman for state House Republicans said Pearce's apology should end the issue for the public.

"What should he be reprimanded for?" Marson said. "He has acknowledged that he has made a mistake. He has apologized for it. He did not read the offending comments ... it's not what he believes."