Thread: Campbell Defeats Anti-Immigration Candidate to Win House Sea

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Campbell Defeats Anti-Immigration Candidate to Win House Seat
Dec. 7 (Bloomberg) -- California Republican State Senator John Campbell won election to the U.S. Congress representing the 48th District in Orange County, defeating Jim Gilchrist, one of the founders of the Minutemen border security group.

Campbell, 50, got 45 percent of the vote to 25 percent for Gilchrist, who ran as an independent, based on results reported by all 268 precincts, according to the Web site of the Orange County Voters Registrar. Democrat Steve Young had 28 percent.

The campaign in the Republican-dominated district highlights a split within the party between those, such as Gilchrist, who demand tighter controls on immigration, and those who would match improved border enforcement with the creation of a new guest- worker program for immigrants, as President George W. Bush has endorsed.

Campbell backs allowing undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to apply for temporary-worker status if they first pay a fine and return for a time to their country of origin.

``With the likelihood that Congress will be debating some sort of immigration reform this is perceived as an area of battle,'' said Louis DeSipio, a professor of political science at the University of California at Irvine.

Campbell's victory in the special election gives him a one- year term in the office vacated by Republican Christopher Cox, who was appointed chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29. Campbell would have to run again in November for a full two-year term.

Gilchrist forced a runoff in the district by wining 15 percent of the Oct. 4 primary vote and holding Campbell to 46 percent, beneath the 50 percent threshold needed to win the seat outright.

`First Round'

Gilchrist's anti-immigration stance ``already had a significant effect because he denied the official Republican candidate a victory in the first round,'' said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a public policy group in Washington that favors less immigration.

Bush and other administration officials began a push last week for an overhaul of U.S. immigration laws. In speeches and meetings in Arizona and Texas, Bush emphasized strengthening border security while saying any legislation must include a guest-worker program.

Gilchrist received support from Representative Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican and leader of the House Immigration Reform Caucus, a group of lawmakers who say Bush's guest-worker program would reward people who have come to the U.S. illegally.

The House is planning to debate next week immigration measures that do not include any guest-worker programs and instead focus on border security and enforcing workplace immigration laws.

The Senate will take up similar legislation in February which will likely include a temporary worker program.

2006 Elections

Republican House candidates around the country in 2006 will likely face challengers such as Gilchrist focused on immigration, said Amy Walter, House editor of the Washington-based Cook Political Report, which analyzes congressional races. Anti- immigration candidates have already shown interest in races in Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

``It may be that we see candidates pop up in a number of Republican primaries, especially where there are open seats,'' she said.

Challengers such as Gilchrist hope to use the races to force Republican front-runners to move closer to their immigration positions and make it harder for Republicans in Congress to back immigration legislation that includes a temporary-worker program, Krikorian said.

``Even half a dozen important races where immigration is central to the issues being discussed can make a huge difference,'' he said.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Nicholas Johnston in Washington at njohnston3@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: December 7, 2005 03:02 EST

Jim Gilchrist, we are so proud of you and your outstanding show of support at the polls yesterday!!

While more work is needed to drive this message home to the voters, your outstanding results show this message is like freight train plowing across the country waking up Americans to the plight of our nation and who is responsible for it.

Thank you Jim and many thanks to all of your supporters that used this election to show America what is wrong and what needs "fixin".

All I Want For Christmas Is My Country Back

Judy, the finally tally isnt even conplete still. Even though campbell has won he didnt win with over 50% so it isnt much to be proud of. Campbell what an arrogant guy, he said last night that people dont want a radical like Jim and his hardcore views.

P

Well, he ran a good race and he brought a lot of critical issues to the fore.

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Judy, the finally tally isnt even conplete still. Even though campbell has won he didnt win with over 50% so it isnt much to be proud of. Campbell what an arrogant guy, he said last night that people dont want a radical like Jim and his hardcore views.

P

Yeah the guy only won 44 percent of the vote and he's bragging? That's pathetic. In a Republican safe district, 44 percent is extremely low. He will be so vulnerable come next election cycle which is next year if I'm not mistaken.

Dman, you are right he will have to get relected in 06. the final voting cout comes in about 2 more hours. It is pathic for this guy to be claiming victory when only 23% of the voted has been counted.

P

Campbell Defeats Anti-Immigration Candidate to Win House Seat

Boy, they just can't get it right--they don't want to get it right. It should be 'Cambell Defeats Anti-Illegal Immigration Candidate to Win House Seat'