[img_assist|nid=308|title=Dr. Joe Arminio|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=120|height=154]In the three-way heavyweight bout of Gilchrest-Harris-Pipkin, there’s almost absolutely no chance for any other Republican candidate to compete in the First District’s February 12th primary.

So it’s highly unlikely that Dr. Joe Arminio and the two other minor Republican candidates in this race will be heard over the millions of dollars the big three will spend in advertising over the next two months.

But Arminio might be able to get his message out - and maybe even peel off a fraction of the vote - due to a niche he has recently carved for himself.

The longshot candidate, who entered the race months ago, now tells PolitickerMD.com that he will run on the line of GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul.

Arminio says he “officially joined the Ron Paul ticket” on December 1st.

Paul has been the online phenomenon of the 2008 presidential cycle. Influential new media political journalist Matt Bai recently wrote that Paul’s online activity, devised by those outside his official campaign, has embarrassed “candidates who have amassed roomfuls of well-paid online experts.”

Paul supporters have yet to create a groundswell of money and interest around a sympathetic congressional candidate.

When asked about state Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s recent entry to the race affects his candidacy, Arminio originally demurred, but now says that “based on both Mr. Pipkin's U.S. Senate run and his present pronouncements, it is clear he is a Neocon.”

“Thus I am the lone Republican battling five Neocons in the Republican primary.”