November Optimism in Both Parties Rep. Charles Schumer celebrates with supporters after winning the New York Democratic Senate nomination Sept. 15. With the completion of virtually all the primaries, Republicans and Democrats have had equal success in fielding the House and Senate candidates they wanted for the fall election. But, in the governor's mansions Democrats head into November in wounded condition.
All results are unofficial.
Adding to Democratic woes, the Monica S. Lewinsky scandal and possible impeachment proceedings have the potential to give Republicans a decisive boost in races that are viewed as tossups. The scandal has already taken the wind out of the sails of Democrats claiming they had a chance to take back the House this November. Mainstream Washington state Republicans view Smith as a weak general election candidate, while conservatives strongly back her. In the state's unusual primary allowing voters to choose among all candidates of all parties running for a given office, Murray decisively outpolled Smith, winning more than Smith and her GOP challenger, prosecutor Christopher Bayley, combined. Murray captured 48 percent compared with 31 percent for Smith and 14 percent for Bayley.