When state Sen. John Campbell makes his final push in December to win a prized congressional district in coastal Orange County, the biggest fight may come not from his Democratic opponent but from a retired accountant who gained notoriety by watching for illegal immigrants at the Mexican border.
Voter discontent over illegal immigration propelled Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist, a first-time candidate and member of the American Independent Party, into a strong third-place finish in Tuesday's special election to succeed Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) in the 48th District.
The biggest surprise wasn't Campbell, who won 46% of Tuesday's vote -- short of an outright victory, but enough to secure the Republican nomination for a Dec. 6 showdown among top party vote-getters.
More striking was that Gilchrist -- a political unknown a year ago -- grabbed more votes than the top Democrat, Steve Young. He also came within shouting distance of the second-place finisher, former Assemblywoman Marilyn C. Brewer of Newport Beach, a Republican who represented much of the district for six years.
Gilchrist made a splash this year when he created a group of volunteers to take shifts watching for illegal crossings into the United States from Mexico, staging their first protest in Arizona. His Minuteman Project -- instant fodder for television and radio talk shows -- was praised by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger but derided as vigilantes by President Bush.
"This is the first time I've seen a third-party candidate with such a strong showing," marveled political consultant Scott Hart of Newport Beach, who wasn't affiliated with any of the 17 candidates on the ballot.
"Illegal immigration was Gilchrist's issue and his platform, and that's why people were voting for him," Hart said. "It shows how strong the issue is."
Momentum is on Gilchrist's side for the Dec. 6 election, his campaign manager, Howie Morgan, said Wednesday amid a buzz of renewed activity after Tuesday's results.
"It's going to be a two-man race between Jim and John, and we haven't even begun to fight on illegal immigration," said Morgan, a Lake Forest resident.
Democrat Young, Libertarian Bruce Cohen and Bea Tiritilli of the Green Party will also be on the ballot.
In a regular election, Gilchrist's optimism could be misplaced. But in low-turnout special elections -- only 20% of registered voters cast ballots Tuesday -- anything's possible, particularly with a galvanizing issue, said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican political analyst in Los Angeles.
