http://www.minutemanhq.com/project/
Posted on 10/05/2005 9:07:10 AM PDT by VU4G10
ANAHEIM, California (Reuters) - The Republican favorite for a California congressional seat was forced into a runoff with Jim Gilchrist, founder of a volunteer border patrol group, and three other candidates after failing to capture a majority of the vote.
With all precincts reporting in Tuesday's special election for the 48th Congressional district, former state Sen. John Campbell had collected 46 percent of the votes cast, followed by fellow Republican and former state Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer at 16.7 percent.
Gilchrist, who founded the Minuteman movement and is running as an American Independent Party candidate, drew 14.4 percent, followed by Democrat Steve Young with 9 percent. The top vote-getter from each party qualifies for the December runoff, which will also include Libertarian Steve Cohen and Green Party candidate Bea Tiritilli.
"To repeat a quote from the Revolutionary War: I have not yet begun to fight," Gilchrist said. "I think I can win this. It's just a matter of informing the public who I am and what I can do."
Gilchrist, whose group was once slammed as "vigilantes" by President George W. Bush, likely cost conservative Campbell an uncontested victory by splitting the conservative vote. Brewer is considered more moderate.
Less than 20 percent of eligible voters turned out in the special election to replace Rep. Christopher Cox. The 48th district covers much of coastal Orange County.
Political analysts say Gilchrist has tapped into deep voter discontent in California over illegal immigration. Democrats have been unwilling to alienate Hispanics and Republicans are seen as determined to appease businesses that depend on cheap immigrant labor.
Gilchrist faces a formidable foe in Campbell who, as a successful entrepreneur from Newport Beach, is an easy fit in the mostly affluent neighborhoods of the Orange County district that tend to turn out for elections.
Campbell won California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's endorsement and has also taken a strong stance against illegal immigration -- coming out against Bush's controversial "guest worker" program.
Does Mr. Gilcrist have a web site that takes donations. I would like to help him.
This is excellent news. Go Gilchrist!
"This is excellent news. Go Gilchrist!"
Sadly, Gilchrist does not have a prayer of winning this election. Tom Campbell will win handily, as the totals in the primary clearly indicate. Single-issue candidates will always do poorly in Orange County. Republicans will do well. It's that simple.
Thanks
The combined vote Tuesday of his runoff opponents was less than 25 percent.
http://www.campbellforcongress.com
ping
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
you did not listen to the johnandkenshow, on 640kfi today. Gilchrist went from no one to a major contender with spending little money. Absentee ballots didn't even have him listed. He had only 4 weeks and limited funds to run.
I thin he has more of a chance than you realize. People are fed up with the dems and reps not doing anyting about illegals. We are up to our armpits with these guys here in the So. Ca Area and people are sick of it.
Ideally, it would get the attention of both major parties who would then compete with each other to crack down on, rather than pander to, illegal immigration.
Notice I said illegal immigration. Selective, legal immigration is vital to the long-term well-being of this country.
It would be better yet if we could arrange to deport American Marxists on an equal basis with importing pro-Americans of foreign extraction.
I hope he wins too. He is one of the few with a spine.
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