George,

An elected official does not represent a political party, she or he represents everybody in the district. Many election districts are drawn to be "safe" for one party or the other. In these cases, the primary becomes the election. Everybody in the district should have the opportunity to participate. If a political party does not wish to permit participation by people outside the party, they have the option of nomination by caucus.

Kim Tingley (electronic mail, December 8, 2006)