The third parties tend to try and go after seats held by people who hold similar views as their own, but who differ on one or two issues.
This usually results in the exact opposite result where the opposite party wins.
Sort of.
Rick Jore, of the Montana Constitution Party won a seat in the State House of Representatives in the November 2, 2004 election, becoming the first State legislator in the nation to be elected on the Constitution Party ticket.
Jore is not a newcomer to the Montana Legislature. He was elected to the Montana House as a Republican in 1994, 1996, and 1998.