The Republican challenging Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly in this fall’s election has stepped into his opponent’s cross-county immigration feud, arguing Connolly has abdicated enforcement of illegal immigration laws and risks turning Fairfax into a sanctuary.

Gary Baise this week came down on the side of Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart, also a Republican, who recently touched off a spat with Connolly by calling him a hindrance in the regional crackdown on illegal aliens.