That may well be true, but this is a special case.
Gilchrist running and winning as an Independent isn't going to change the makeup of the House one whit in a structural sense. He'll caucus with the Conservative Republicans, and will vote just the way they do on most everything.
But oh, man! The message a Gilchrist victory will send on the immigration issue!
It will lay the premise for the '06 elections, and force a whole lot of unwilling politicians to pay attention.
"Gilchrist running and winning as an Independent..."
I thought he was running under the Constitution Party banner?
What Gilchrist will do is draw votes away from Cambbell, giving the nomination to Marilyn Brewer, who has been endorsed by John McCain.