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Ask a candidate in the Republican Congressional District 8 race their thoughts on health care, education, even the environment, and there's a good chance they'll connect it back to one thing: illegal immigration.

Pollsters and the campaigns themselves cite border and immigration concerns as the prevailing issues this year, especially in a district that shares a border with Mexico.

As Democrats stand together on that and other issues, Republicans share more gaps in policy and ideology.

"It seems like Democrats are more focused on issues of style and experience and that kind of thing," said Jonathan Paton, a Republican state lawmaker running for re-election. "The differences in the Republican primary are more of an ideology battle than anything else."

Margaret Kenski, a Republican pollster, says the phenomenon is not unusual.

"I think that because the Democrats have been the party out of power, there tends to be more consensus. They group around the other party's vulnerabilities," she said. The divisions on the Republican side are "typical of parties who have been in power," she said. "They get larger and divided."

That explains why the candidates have worked to distance themselves from President Bush, she said.

But the divisions could also spell danger since the party will need to come together in order to defeat Democrats in November. With the Republican base unhappy with the direction of the party, loyalists worry that some may sit the election out.

When Randy Graf ran against retiring incumbent Rep. Jim Kolbe in 2004, he was framed as an extremist who supported the then-controversial Proposition 200, which cut public services to illegal immigrants and required identification to vote.

But in two short years, immigration has gone from being almost totally off the national radar to being one of the most highlighted issues. And as for Proposition 200, well, it turns out Graf was actually in the mainstream. The measure passed by 55 percent of the vote.

Graf, a Green Valley resident and avid listener of talk radio, lacks loads of cash, but his campaign volunteers and rank-and-file supporters are enthusiastic. As for defeating the notion that he's a one-issue guy, so far Graf hasn't had to face that criticism much. With immigration the most pressing issue in polling among Republican primary voters, all of Graf's rivals have had to take hawkish positions.

But Graf, who has appealed to voters in Cochise County and garnered the endorsement of the Minuteman Project, hasn't been the darling of the business community or centrists.

The former golf pro rose out of relative obscurity in 2001 to run for the Legislature, where he aligned himself with Maricopa County Republicans on social issues — not Tucson's moderate group.

Democrats are among his biggest fans, believing he's too conservative to win in the general.

Still, he says he's not afraid to listen to those with whom he disagrees.

"I always wanted my phone messages at night," he said, remembering his time in the Legislature. "The ones on top had to be the ones that started with 'I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you're not re-elected, you bum.' "

A graduate of Canyon Del Oro High School, Steve Huffman hasn't strayed far from home.

A state lawmaker and father of two small children, Huffman won the endorsement of Kolbe and caught the eye of major donors. He's been the most prominent candidate on television, so far running three ads. The first focused on his legislative experience, the second on his plans for the border and his third labeling competitor Graf as extreme.

Huffman sometimes lands outside his party. He's pro-choice, and though he says he supports traditional marriage, he doesn't support a proposition on this year's ballot to deny benefits to domestic partners.

"My views and values fit this district very well," he said. "It's the reason Jim Kolbe, who's served this district for 22 years, endorsed me."

An opponent of Proposition 200, Huffman has, like all the candidates, tried to take a hard stance on the immigration issue. That's opened him up to criticism from Graf that he's a Johnny-come-lately.

"Randy has made a habit of responding to people's fears and emotions and not presenting solutions," Huffman says.

And Huffman, a mild-mannered real estate agent, says he's the real conservative, advocating for lower taxes, free trade and small government. He also doesn't shy from criticizing Democrats.

"We're hearing a lot of empty rhetoric from them right now," he said early this month. "We don't need that kind of leadership back in Washington."

Mike Hellon was playing golf with his brother in Oregon last Thanksgiving week, when his cell phone rang. It was Kolbe, sharing with Hellon his plans to finish out his term and not run for re-election.

The two know each other well. Hellon's ex-wife, Toni, a state legislator, is Kolbe's former campaign manager and longtime friend. The golf game didn't last long, as Hellon took calls from people asking him if he planned to run.

"I told everyone, 'I'm not interested.' At the time, I thought there would be several people running who I could support," he said. But when friends like Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll and ex-wife Toni opted out, Hellon changed his mind.

Hellon, former chairman of the state party, realizes now his early reaction may have moved potential support and money to Huffman. But it may all be for the best.

As national publications, blogs and party insiders have focused on Graf and Huffman's chances, Hellon — who's used to working behind the scenes — has quietly built a strong organization of his own, he and his supporters say.

The guy who appropriately says "I don't need to ask where the bathroom is when I get to Congress," has trumped his rivals when it comes to requests for early ballots. And he's also found a balance between advocating for strong border security and endorsing a guest worker plan.

"We are really gaining ground rapidly," he said. "I believe I'm going to go into the primary with a 5,000-vote advantage."

Also in the race are Frank Antenori, a first-time candidate and Iraq war veteran, and Mike Jenkins, who claims he's "just right of center and just right for Southern Arizona."

Antenori, who authored a book about his experience at war, has drawn cheers for his straight talk at forums and events.

"It's a tough time to be a Republican," Antenori said early in the campaign. "The Republican party is alienating their base."

Jenkins has crafted a more populist approach to the issues, endorsing a minimum wage increase. But he's also a champion of small government.

"Any time the federal government gets involved, you get twice the cost and half the benefit," he said in July, criticizing a universal health-care system.

In a crowded race, standing out is hard to do. And coming together in the aftermath won't be easy either. But if Republicans want to hang onto a seat they've owned for 22 years, they'll need to do that just that.

"All parties do a coming together no matter how divisive the rhetoric," said Kenski, the pollster.