When a one-issue activist from a fringe party holds the Republican candidate to under 45% in GOP territory, it's time to take notice...

...Republicans in the New York-Washington axis may not see it, but there's a deep divide in their party between elites and grass-roots voters. In places like Southern California, it's impossible to ignore. Voters want to see the law enforced, both at the border and against employers, and they see their elected leaders doing nothing.

When fringe candidates do a better job addressing mainstream concerns than establishment politicians do, the latter can expect trouble. This week they got their warning shot.