Several States Hold Congressional Primaries

S T.   P A U L, Minn., Sept. 12 -- Confident that Sen. Rod Grams can be beaten, four prominent Democrats have poured more than $10 million into their primary campaigns for the chance to challenge the first-term Republican in November.

It’s the most expensive primary fight in the history of Minnesota, and the results will echo far beyond the state.

The Democrats’ chances of retaking the Senate this fall hinge onabout a dozen closely watched races, including Grams’ re-electionbid. The Republicans now hold a 54-46 edge.

“The Democrats have been salivating for months at this seat,”rsaid Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan RothenbergPolitical Report, based in Washington. His newsletter rates Grams“highly vulnerable,” the worst category for a senator facingre-election.

Voters settle the primary battles today as Minnesota, seven other states and the District of Columbia choose their fall candidates.

First Lady’s First Election

In New York, Hillary Clinton is being challenged by Dr. Mark McMahon in her first primary election. McMahon, an orthopedic surgeon, has boasted that he expects a primary upset over the first lady, but polls show fewer than 15 percent of the state’s Democratic voters support him.

On Monday, President Clinton joined his wife on the campaign trail and weighed in on the controversy over a photo showing the Republican candidate, Rep. Rick Lazio, shaking hands with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The president said the handshake was no different from a kissMrs. Clinton gave Arafat’s wife last fall — a kiss for which shehas been repeatedly criticized by Lazio.

Supporters of Mrs. Clinton also are accusing Lazio of hypocrisy forhaving criticized the president for his handshake with CubanPresident Fidel Castro during last week’s U.N. summit.

Lazio, unopposed in the GOP primary, said Sunday there was a“big difference” between his handshake with Arafat in 1998 andwhat the Clintons did.