Jim Gilchrist

Traditionally tight-knit anti-illegal immigration organizations are roiled in internal conflict. Struggles for power and finances have led leaders in the movement to split ties with Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minuteman Project. Bickering continues over who has control of the original Minuteman organization and once faithful members are now deserting the group. Barbed e-mails and accusations fly among the former Minuteman loyalists. “I’m fighting on three fronts,” Gilchrist said.

State senator beats out four other contenders for U.S. House seat, garnering 44.7% of Tuesday's vote. Democrat Steve Young places 2nd with 28%; Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist takes 25.1% of votes.Republican state Sen. John Campbell won handily in Tuesday's 48th Congressional District special election and will take over the seat left vacant by former Rep. Chris Cox of Newport Beach. With all of the 268 precincts reporting, Campbell finished with 44.7% of the vote. His vote total, 41,450, was more than 15,500 better than the second-place finisher, Democrat Steve Young, who finished with 28%. American Independent Party candidate Jim Gilchrist was in third place with 25.1% of the vote.

Minuteman description won't appear on ballot A Sacramento Superior Court judge on Friday denied Congressional candidate Jim Gilchrist's request to be listed as a Minuteman on ballots for the Oct. 4 special election for the 48th Congressional District. Gilchrist was challenging a decision by the secretary of state that designations mentioning the Minuteman Project -- which Gilchrist founded -- did not comply with state code. Because Judge Judy Hersher denied Gilchrist's petition, the Orange County Registrar of Voters will have candidate lists printed for sample ballots beginning Tuesday, chief deputy registrar Neal Kelley said.

Though he says he's not running on one topic, Jim Gilchrist says immigration is `the major issue.' It's never certain that credentials will translate into votes, but when it comes to fighting illegal immigration on the ground, American Independent Party congressional candidate Jim Gilchrist has more credentials than most. Illegal immigration is shaping up to be one of the biggest issues in 2006 political campaigns. As the founder of the Minuteman Project, a group of volunteers who patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, Gilchrist has put the issue in focus with his own bid for a U.S. House seat.

If you're frustrated with the war in Iraq, Bea Tiritilli's got her eye on you. Fiscally conservative Democrat? Bruce Cohen's your man. And discontented Republicans, Jim Gilchrist is making his pitch for your vote. Actually, the Oct. 4 special election for the 48th District congressional seat will be a free-for-all, and third-party candidates are trying to appeal to anyone who's not satisfied with the Republican status quo. The primary to succeed former Rep. Chris Cox -- now chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission -- is open, so voters can choose from any of 17 candidates on the ballot regardless of their party registration.

Democratic candidate readies to take on John Campbell again in 2006; Gilchrist is undecided.When Rep. John Campbell begins campaigning to keep the 48th Congressional District seat he won Tuesday, he may face familiar opposition. Democrat Steve Young took 28% of Tuesday's votes according to unofficial results, and he said Wednesday that he's already begun planning his 2006 campaign. "We've got a person back in Washington now who received less than half the votes in the district, and we think that's very telling," Young said, referring to the 44.6% of votes Campbell received Tuesday.

Nearly two years after the Costa Mesa City Council took a controversial vote to have police enforce immigration law, the issue has cooled significantly, mainly because the city never took on enforcement duties. But one aspect of the issue has never been resolved. Police arrested 26-year-old Benito Acosta at a Jan. 3, 2006, City Council meeting after he spoke at the podium and urged supporters to stand up. County prosecutors declined to file the charges under their jurisdiction — resisting arrest and battery of a police officer, Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder said at the time — but the city pursued alleged municipal code violations.

This corrects an earlier version of this story. Traditionally tight-knit anti-illegal immigration organizations are roiled in internal conflict. Struggles for power and finances have led leaders in the movement to split ties with Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minuteman Project. Bickering continues over who has control of the original Minuteman organization and once faithful members are now deserting the group. Barbed e-mails and accusations fly among the former Minuteman loyalists.

Nearly two years after the Costa Mesa City Council took a controversial vote to have police enforce immigration law, the issue has cooled significantly, mainly because the city never took on enforcement duties. But one aspect of the issue has never been resolved. Police arrested 26-year-old Benito Acosta at a Jan. 3, 2006, City Council meeting after he spoke at the podium and urged supporters to stand up. County prosecutors declined to file the charges under their jurisdiction — resisting arrest and battery of a police officer, Orange County District Attorney spokeswoman Susan Schroeder said at the time — but the city pursued alleged municipal code violations.

The assignment of an immigration and customs enforcement officer full time to the Costa Mesa city jail is a good start. Hopefully, Costa Mesa will be able to staff four or five of these officers full time in the near future. The City Council is certainly on the right track to maintaining public safety. Mayor Allan Mansoor has made a bold step forward in restoring the rule of law to the community. JIM GILCHRIST Founder The Minuteman Project Finally somebody is doing something about these people being illegal in jail and committing crimes.

The dirty little secret of illegal immigration is that a wholesale evacuation of all the people who are here without permission is not supported by many businesses. That accounts for the weak anti-illegal immigration response by President Bush and many members of both houses of Congress. Businesses, including your favorite restaurant, car wash and warehouse, need the cheap labor provided by illegal immigrants, and many people who would otherwise support a series of illegal immigrant sweeps understand that it is just not that simple.

Democratic candidate readies to take on John Campbell again in 2006; Gilchrist is undecided.When Rep. John Campbell begins campaigning to keep the 48th Congressional District seat he won Tuesday, he may face familiar opposition. Democrat Steve Young took 28% of Tuesday's votes according to unofficial results, and he said Wednesday that he's already begun planning his 2006 campaign. "We've got a person back in Washington now who received less than half the votes in the district, and we think that's very telling," Young said, referring to the 44.6% of votes Campbell received Tuesday.

The numbers were slightly different than I had guessed, but John Campbell -- excuse me, Rep. John Campbell -- indeed failed to get a majority of the vote in Tuesday's special election. And, as I mentioned last week, it certainly looks like he's got the far fewest number of votes of anyone now serving in Congress. His 45,719 (good for 44.6% of the vote) is about 15,000 below the lowest total for a representative winning in 2004. That should change next year, when Campbell has to turn around and run for "reelection."

State senator beats out four other contenders for U.S. House seat, garnering 44.7% of Tuesday's vote. Democrat Steve Young places 2nd with 28%; Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist takes 25.1% of votes.Republican state Sen. John Campbell won handily in Tuesday's 48th Congressional District special election and will take over the seat left vacant by former Rep. Chris Cox of Newport Beach. With all of the 268 precincts reporting, Campbell finished with 44.7% of the vote. His vote total, 41,450, was more than 15,500 better than the second-place finisher, Democrat Steve Young, who finished with 28%. American Independent Party candidate Jim Gilchrist was in third place with 25.1% of the vote.