An anti-sanctuary state “revolution is brewing” across California in defiance of Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and his pro-illegal immigrant policies, Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox said Wednesday on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.”

Cox (shown above left), who is running to replace Brown in 2018, noted that so far nearly 20 jurisdictions in California voted to opt out of the state’s sanctuary policies, which are hamstringing state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Most recently, San Diego County officials voted 3-1 Tuesday to back a lawsuit against California, filed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, seeking to nullify the state’s sanctuary policies.

“You’ve got 20 jurisdictions around the state who have already acted,” Cox said. “I think there are going to be more because people are sick and tired of Jerry Brown and [Lt. Gov. of California] Gavin Newsom’s ignorance of the law.”

Democrat Newsom also is running to replace Brown in the 2018 gubernatorial election. Cox argued that Brown and Newsom both “really believe that people want to have MS-13 living next door to them.”

“We’re talking about getting criminals out of California, and Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom are favoring criminal illegal aliens over the law-abiding citizens of this state,” Cox told host Laura Ingraham. “It’s got to end. And I think the people are rising up, Laura. I think there really is a revolution brewing.”

Although Brown partially caved last week by agreeing to send 400 National Guardsmen to bolster the United States’ southern border patrol efforts at Trump’s request, the governor limited the troops even further Monday by refusing to allow the members to enforce immigration laws.

But Trump tweeted Wednesday that he sees a “revolution going on in California” as the number of jurisdictions joining his administration’s lawsuit and rejecting sanctuary policies is growing larger.

“There is a revolution going on in California. Soooo many Sanctuary areas want OUT of this ridiculous, crime infested & breeding concept. Jerry Brown is trying to back out of the National Guard at the Border, but the people of the State are not happy. Want Security & Safety NOW!” Trump tweeted.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

But Enrique Morones, founder and director of the San Diego-based, pro-illegal immigrant rights organization Border Angels, rejected the “revolution” that Trump and Cox saw.

“I’m with the majority of Californians,” said Morones (shown above right). We don’t want to have a wall. We support the sanctuary state situation. The fact that Republicans, small groups within California, are opposed to the sanctuary law — that’s not a surprise. But the majority of Californians support the sanctuary state situation.”

Ingraham, however, pointed to a poll released Wednesday from University of California, Berkeley’s Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, which found 59 percent of those surveyed believe it’s either “very important” or “somewhat important” to increase deportations.

Related: Gingrich Sees Growing Anti-Sanctuary Rebellion in California

Although Cox faces a steep uphill climb in such a liberal state, he argued that his message of “safety and security” should resonate with all Californians.

“Democrats, as well as independents, as well as Republicans, all want safety and security, Laura,” Cox said. “That’s the first role of government, is safety and security. And that’s what I’m going to provide. The first thing I’m going to get rid of is this sanctuary state policy. And the people want it.”

PoliZette writer Kathryn Blackhurst can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter.

(photo credit, homepage image: John Cox, Cut Out/Black & White, CC BY 2.0, by Tommy Lee Kreger)