LAT: Race for Cox Seat Heats Up Airwaves

Race for Cox Seat Heats Up Airwaves

State Sen. John Campbell and Minuteman Project co-founder Jim Gilchrist take their battle to dueling talk shows.
By Jean O. Pasco
Times Staff Writer

December 6, 2005

The final day of campaigning in an Orange County congressional race that has received national attention because of its focus on immigration played out on the airwaves Monday as the front-running Republican and aggressive third-party challenger sniped at each other.

State Sen. John Campbell (R-Irvine) could be heard with Irvine attorney Hugh Hewitt on KRLA-AM (870) while Jim Gilchrist, co-founder of the border security group called the Minuteman Project, was a guest on "The John & Ken Show" on KFI-AM (640). The race is being closely watched in part because it underscores a deep division among conservatives over securing borders and dealing with illegal immigration.

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It mattered little that most listeners of either station live well outside coastal Orange County's 48th Congressional District. Voters there will choose among Campbell, Gilchrist and three other candidates on today's special election ballot to replace Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach). Cox resigned in July to become chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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The district stretches from Newport Beach to Dana Point and as far inland as Tustin. Among its 406,000 registered voters are 203,000 Republicans, 110,000 Democrats, and fewer than 8,000 American Independents. The other candidates are Democrat Steve Young, 51, a Newport Beach attorney; Libertarian Bruce Cohen, 44, a real estate broker from Irvine; and Santa Ana high school teacher Bea Tiritilli, 42, the Green Party nominee.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-coxseat6dec06,1,7674661.story?coll=la-headlines-california