Evans & Novak

The outlook for some of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races this year:

California: Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren (R.) faces only nominal competition for the nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Pete Wilson (R.). The suspense in this race stems from Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D.) plans.

Were she to enter the race, she would be the verifiable front-runner against Lt. Gov. Gray Davis (D.) and former Northwest Airlines CEO Al Checchi (D.). Republicans hope it is Davis who is pit against Lungren, fearing Feinstein's strength in polls and Checchi's vast fortune. Leaning GOP Retention.

Colorado: The contest to replace term-limited Gov. and Democratic National Committee Chairman Roy Romer (D.) will likely be between Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler (D.) and State Treasurer Bill Owens (R.).

Schoettler faces a more divisive primary than Owens, with labor-backed State Sen. Minority Leader Mike Feely (D.) challenging her for the nomination. Owens has competition from the top figures in both legislative chambers-House Speaker Chuck Berry (R.) and Senate President Tom Norton (R.)--but continues to maintain a significant lead over them. Leaning GOP Takeover.

Connecticut: Gov. John Rowland (R.) is gearing up for a serious challenge from Rep. Barbara Kennelly (D.), the top-ranking female Democrat in the House and daughter of former DNC John Bailey. Kennelly first must get through a primary that to date includes popular Bridgeport Mayor John Ganim. Leaning Democratic Takeover.

Florida: Jeb Bush (R.), the President's son and 1994 nominee, continues to run well in his second bid to capture the governorship but has been weighed down recently by his runningmate's controversial use of state funds.

Since Any. Gen. Bob Butterworth (D.) has decided against a bid, Bush will likely face Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay (D.) in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Lawton Chiles (D.). Leaning GOP Takeover.

Hawaii: Republicans are bullish on the prospects of knocking over first-tenn Gov. Ben Cayetano (D.) with Maui Mayor Linda Lingle (R.), given the state's poor economic performance under a string of Democratic administrations. Leaning GOP Takeover.

Maryland: Gov. Parris Glendening (D.) can expect serious opposition from Republicans as well as from his own party. Harford Country Executive Eileen Rehrmann continues to challenge him from the right in the primary and could drive his popularity down even further.

Ellen Sauerbrey, the 1994 GOP nominee, is gearing tip for a rematch but first must defeat moderate Howard County Executive Charles Ecker (R.). Had Ecker gotten into the race earlier, he might have accumulated more momentum. Campaigning since her narrow 1994 loss, Sauerbrey locked up substantial support early. Leaning GOP Takeover.

Nebraska: Rep. John Christensen's (R.) entry into the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ben Nelson (D.) gives the GOP extra bench strength against Bill Hoppner or Jim McFarland, the two Democrats lined up for the job. Hoppner was an aide to Senators Bob Kerrey (D.) and Jim Exon (D.), and McFarland is the president of Nebraska's Common Cause.

Christensen will have primary opposition from State Auditor John Breslow and Lincoln Mayor Mike Johanns, but is favored to win. Leaning GOP Takeover.

The special report, by Rowland Evans and Robert Novak, appears exclusively in HUMAn EvENTS. For subscription information on theii Evans-Novak Political Report, call 800-789-5367

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. Jan 23, 1998
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved