Several States Hold Congressional Primaries

S T.   P A U L, Minn., Sept. 12, 2000 -- 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.

The Clintons voted early this morning in Chappaqua, where they have a home, in the primary that marks the first time any U.S. first lady’s name has appeared on a ballot.

Crowded Race

Back in Minnesota, experts say Grams’ relative absence from thespotlight, particularly in failing to trumpet his role in a $500-per-dependent federal tax credit that became law in 1997, has eroded the advantage an incumbent usually holds.

“I’m not good at running back home and patting myself on theback and holding news conferences,” said Grams, who faces onlynominal opposition in the GOP primary. He has spent much of thesummer touting a plan to privatize Social Security.

Grams also has had disruptions in his office. Last summer, his chief of staff and three more aides, including his top campaign official, left within days of each other.

The leading contender for the Democrats is Mark Dayton, adepartment store heir who had pumped $5.2 million of his own moneyinto his campaign by the end of last week.

Trial lawyer Mike Ciresi has nearly matched Dayton in spending,with $4.6 million for an equally aggressive ad campaign. He madehis reputation with major victories over tobacco companies,intrauterine device makers and Union Carbide Corp., the companyresponsible for the 1984 Bhopal poison gas leak.

State Sen. Jerry Janezich, the Democrats’ endorsed candidate,has had almost no money for campaign ads and has been far behind inthe polls.

Rebecca Yanisch, a construction executive and former economicdevelopment official, has fared little better despite the help of Emily’s List, a group that supports Democratic women who supportabortion rights, and her own wealth.