Congressional Candidate Jim Gilchrest Can't List "Minuteman Founder" On The Ballot In CA

The Los Angeles Times ^ | September 3, 2005 | David Haldane

[Clintonfatigued]

Last month, however, the California secretary of state's office ruled that Gilchrist could not list himself on the ballot as director of the Minutemen. Gilchrist appealed to the Sacramento County Superior Court, but Judge Judy Holzer Hersher upheld the decision.

[Clintonfatigued]

The political establishment strikes again against a grass-roots candidate. Jim Gilchrest is the best man for the job, he deserves our wholehearted support.

[NeoCaveman]

So, he gets his name and party listed. Just like anybody else.

[NeoCaveman]

Can he found the Minutemen Party?

He could have. It's probably way too late to do so.

Disclaimer: I know next to nothing about CA election law.

[jocon307]

"So, he gets his name and party listed. Just like anybody else."

Right. I remember Jimmy Carter wanting to be "Jimmy Carter" on the ballot, but I can't remember how it turned out. Or if it turned out the same way everywhere.

Heck, I'll admit it, I voted for the guy and I don't remember how his name appeared on the NY ballot.

[AmishDude]

Depends on the law. Louisiana, for example, allows you to put anything on the ballot you want. That leads to a lot of colorful nicknames. In fact, some believe that if Kathleen Babineaux Blanco had not put her middle name on the ballot, she would not have gotten elected.

[Vis Numar]

Is this for the special CD election?

[Clintonfatigued]

Yes it is. I hope he wins. He has the potential to be a great leader.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I don't see how he manages to win against a regular Republican candidate.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"The political establishment strikes again against a grass-roots candidate."

---

While you're right that grass-roots candidates always get the shaft from the political establishment, I don't think that's the case here. Candidates appear on the ballot with their legal name and their party's name. If Gilchrest is running as a member of the American Independence Party, not a "Minuteman Party," how can he get the "Minuteman" name on the ballot? Of course, he can always legally change his name to Jim Minuteman Founder Gilchrest and get that name on the ballot (years ago a candidate actually changed his name legally to "____ Non-Incumbent _________" so as to publish on the ballot that he was not the incumbent).


"Jim Gilchrest is the best man for the job, he deserves our wholehearted support."

---

I disagree. While I support the Minutemen, I think that State Senator John Campbell should replace Chris Cox in the House. Campbell is a good conservative and would be an excellent Congressman. http://www.campbellforcongress.com/


My fear is that, if too many conservatives forgo voting for a conservative Republican such as Campbell in the all-party primary, it may allow the RINO Marilyn Brewer to sneak into the general-election ballot and either win the election or else cause the Democrat to win. Gilchrest may thus end up playing the spoiler role that we were all afraid that Bob Dornan would play when he floated his candidacy a few weeks ago.

[Clintonfatigued]

You're right about John Campbell having the makings of a good Congressman. We need more CPA's in Congress. But I think that a victory by Gilchrest would send the establishment a message about the need to get serious about border security.

[zbigreddogz]

Exactly. He shouldn't get any special privilege. I'm sure Bill Frist would have loved to put down "Deworms African Orphans in his spare time" on his ballot, but he didn't get to. That's what campaigning is for.