Gilchrist's strong finish Tuesday makes him chief rival to the GOP's Campbell. In a special election, anything's possible, one expert says.

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.

Topics: Campaigns, elections, Jim Gilchrist, Campbell, Congress, illegal immigration, Minuteman Project, Republican, GOP

10/6/2005
By Jean O. Pasco, LA Times Staff Writer

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 â€â€