The Family Action PAC spent $55,000 in the primary, backing winners in 16 of the 19 races to which it contributed. The New Majority spent $430,000 and won just three of the 10 races in which it gave more than $15,000.

While the New Majority dwarfs Family Action in finances, a comparison of the two groups reflects the struggle for the soul of the state GOP.

The New Majority was formed two years ago by a group of millionaires who said the state party's decline was a result of a social platform that opposed abortion and more gun control and embraced similar issues.

Family Action, whose members are dedicated to that social platform, formed soon afterward in reaction. Leading the charge was chairman and founder Larry Smith, who was national co-finance chairman for Gary Bauer's 2000 presidential campaign and a former board member of Bauer's Family Research Council. Smith was especially gratified by the primary results, which generally followed the lead of Family Action-backed Bill Simon's victory over New Majority-backed Dick Riordan in the gubernatorial race.

“What was involved was the direction of the party -- what's left of it,” said the Newport Beach investor -- whose group's goal is to raise $200,000 per election cycle, compared with the $1 million annual budget of the New Majority. ``If the New Majority had won, it would have swung the (state GOP) caucus to the middle.''

While Family Action believes that the party continues to reflect the social views of its core activists, New Majority sticks to its position that the party must become more moderate on social issues if it is to regain control of the state. New Majority leaders are quick to point out that record-low turnout March 5 spelled disaster for moderate candidates from both parties.