Former Ambassador Francis Rooney is considered the frontrunner in his Republican primary race to replace outgoing Rep. Curt Clawson (R) in southwest Florida’s 19th congressional district.

Rooney has already the received the endorsements from former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, former Congressman Connie Mack, as well as the backing of current Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Rooney has the cash to win the election, but the voting electorate in the  Republican-leaning congressional district may take issue with the mixed message he may be conveying when it comes to immigration reform.

In a recent hard-hitting TV ad on illegal immigration, Rooney says that he will “fight to build a big one (wall) on our southern border,” adding that the border need to be secured, “stop illegal immigration,” and end “sanctuary cities.”

Here is the spot:

But while Rooney comes across as very hawkish against illegal immigration, the former ambassador appears to be in favor of a form of comprehensive immigration reform that would increase H-1B visas.

Back in 2014, Rooney was also part of a group of conservative-minded elected officials and donors who wanted the U.S. Congress to act swiftly on “passing meaningful immigration reform.”

While there is no argument that the current U.S. immigration system needs to be fixed, most staunch conservative Republicans, many possibly living in southwest Florida, are for the most part against any form of pathway to citizenship, or amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Comprehensive or ‘meaningful immigration reform” is considered by many to be code for amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Rooney is running against Dan Bongino and Chauncey Goss.