The primary field against Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), who has attracted conservative ire for voting with the Democrats on Iraq, just got bigger. Wealthy state Senator E.J. Pipkin, who took 34% as the party's U.S. Senate nominee in 2004, has joined the field along with Gilchrest himself and state Senator Andy Harris.

Pipkin's candidacy might actually split the anti-Gilchrest vote, helping the incumbent. On the other hand, Pipkin has maintained a more moderate image like Gilchrest's, but to his right on the war — thus he might attract some of Gilchrest's own voters. Meanwhile, Gilchrest has his work cut out for him: Harris has racked up the support of all the other state senators in the district, except for Pipkin, and even has the support of former one-term Governor Robert Ehrlich.