To some, Republicans Ben Crystal, Ray McKinney and John Stone might resemble three guys fighting over a losing lottery ticket.

Indeed, GOP prospects for taking out U.S. Rep. John Barrow this year seemed grim -- at least at first.

Mr. Barrow, a Savannah Democrat, has gotten to know people in his 12th District, and he has grown adept at making friends by showering locals with federal largesse.

By early spring, he had amassed $1.3 million in campaign cash.

In contrast, Mr. Crystal, Mr. McKinney and Mr. Stone had a combined total of $53,000.

Now, however, Mr. Barrow has an aggressive primary election foe: state Sen. Regina Thomas. Mr. Barrow is favored, but she's making him spend some money.

Even if Ms. Thomas wins, said University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock, the playing field still tilts uphill for the GOP.

Dr. Bullock said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will swell black turnout and help his party's nominee.

But the Nov. 4 general election is months away, and the Republican candidates are trying to make a case for themselves and against Mr. Barrow.

GOP voters will pick one of them in the July 15 primary or, if no one wins a majority, an Aug. 5 runoff.

The 12th District meanders northeast near the Savannah River and extends west into rural areas. It takes in all or part of 22 counties, most of Savannah and about 60 percent of Augusta.

None of the Republicans is well-known districtwide.

On paper, Mr. Stone, a former aide to late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood and U.S. Rep. Max Burns, the GOP incumbent Mr. Barrow beat in 2004, has a leg up. He is backed by Mr. Burns and is from Augusta.

Mr. Crystal and Mr. McKinney are from Savannah.

Mr. Stone spent most of the past 13 years working in Washington. The former radio news anchorman and veteran observer of federal issues is polished on the stump.

He has shown a populist streak and says his party must be taken back "from the people on Wall Street who have hijacked us."

The father of six daughters also has a sense of humor.

"I have experience balancing the budget while in the minority," he said recently.

Mr. Crystal is a former radio talk-show host who attracted drive-time listeners in Chatham and neighboring counties. A bodybuilder and personal trainer, Mr. Crystal has a strong stage presence.

But Mr. Crystal, who once said he'd marry a Democrat "only if she was hot and mute," can be polarizing.

Mr. McKinney is perhaps best known for his brief bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

But his grasp of issues impressed people such as Effingham County Republican Chairwoman Sue Davis, who urged him to run in the 12th.

Mr. McKinney has tried to make up with shoe leather what he lacks in money or name recognition. Earlier this year, he took a six-week, 450-mile walk through the sprawling district, talking to anyone who'd listen.

The former energy company executive casts himself as a "regular guy" untainted by the arrogance and cynicism of Washington.

"I'm totally fed up with the way the system works, and I think voters are, too," he said.

Little distinguishes the Republicans on the issues. They support the war in Iraq, take a hard line against illegal immigration and back President Bush's tax cuts.

And each is stressing energy policy. All three want to develop more fuel sources, such as Alaskan and offshore oil, coal, nuclear power, oil shale and wood alcohol.

Mr. Stone also supports a temporary rollback of federal fuel taxes. He would recoup lost revenues by ending tax breaks for oil companies he says make "world record profits."

Mr. McKinney and Mr. Crystal disagree, suggesting that lower taxes likely are the solution.

Mr. Crystal offers a proposal concerning income taxes: He does not believe veterans should have to pay.

The 12th District has more than 316,000 registered voters. But most experts expect GOP turnout July 15 to fall far short of the 51,968 who voted in the party's Feb. 5 presidential primary.

"None of these candidates has much visibility," Dr. Bullock said. "They're going to have to go out and get their friends to talk them up and get people to vote for them."