Most voters would ask: is Jim Gilchrist a Republican or is he not, given his candidacy as a candidate representing the American Independent Party; if he wasn't before but is now (a Republican, inorder to make this proposed candidacy, if/when it should occur), what's different about Jim Gilchrist's politics now; and, why is the CA GOP not promoting candidates to run oppositionally to Dianne Feinstein?
And then the answers to those questions would probably determine the outcome to the proposed campaign.
Gilchrist is supported by the Constitution Party (under whatever party name they call it in CA.) and I hope he runs for them rather than as a Republican. I truly believe in order to scare the Dems and Reps into needing a diaper change we need a strong third party to do it. Conservatives considering an alternative may want to check out the Constitution Party. I know they fit my perspective better than anyone else.
Happy New Year!