A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, September 15, 1998

On the busiest primary day of the year, state officials from North Carolina to Washington state expect low voter turnout. Washingtonpost.com has full coverage of today's races, with background on the candidates. Also see our coverage of the Maryland and District of Columbia primaries.

Remember me tomorrow. Who are you? – Exchange between N.Y. Senate candidate Charles Schumer (D) and a woman at a senior citizens center. (Daily News, New York, Sept. 15)

Below is a roundup of primary-day coverage from news Web sites across the country.

Mass. Races Are Wide Open
The race for Massachusetts governor is among today's most contentious, with primary fights in both parties. Republican Gov. Paul Cellucci is running for his first full term after replacing William Weld, who left office to fight a losing battle to be ambassador to Mexico.

In the 8th Congressional District, the winner of the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II is likely to win in November.
Voters Can Show True Colors in Primary Today (The Boston Globe, Sept. 15)
1 Million Expected to Cast Ballots (The Boston Globe, Sept. 15)

Political Legacies at Stake in New York, Minnesota
While former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro is trying to rekindle her political career in New York, four sons of famous Minnesotans are seeking to further their political legacies.

Ferraro is in a tight race to beat out Rep. Charles Schumer and Public Advocate Mark Green in the Democratic Senate primary. The winner of that race will face Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato.
Primary Dem Concerns (Newsday, New York, Sept. 15)

The Four Sons of Minnesota who are vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination are Mark Dayton, heir to a department store fortune, Hubert Humphrey III, son of the former vice president, and Ted Mondale, also the son of a former vice president, and Mike Freeman, son of a former governor. State Sen. Doug Johnson is also in the running. The winner faces Republican Norm Coleman in November.
DFL Gubernatorial Field to Be Reduced to One Today (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, Sept. 15)
DFL Gubernatorial Candidates Meet for Last Debate Before Primary (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, Sept. 14)
Election Results (Secretary of State)

Washington Women Lead Polls in Senate Race
If Republican Rep. Linda Smith can squeak by businessman Chris Bayley in Washington's primary, she will likely face Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who faces token opposition in her primary.
Primary Looming, Voters Are Snoozing (The Seattle Times, Sept. 13)
Live Election Results (Secretary of State)

Congressional Vacancy Created by Governors Race Is Key in Conn.
Two Democrats are at the end of what has been a nasty primary race for for the House seat left open by Rep. Barbara Kennelly's gubernatorial bid. The winner of the fight between Secretary of the State Miles S. Rapoport and former state Sen. John B. Larson will face Republican nominee Kevin O'Connor in November.

In the governor's race, neither Kennelly now Republican incumbent John G. Rowland face primary opponents today.
Front-Runners Refuse To Declare A Truce (The Hartford Courant, Sept. 15)

New Districts Create Interest From Candidates, Not Among Voters
North Carolina's congressional primaries were not held in May so that the legislature there could redraw two districts that courts said were racially gerrymandered. In those two districts, the 1st and the 12th, the black Democratic incumbents face primary opposition and have been targeted by several potential Republican opponents. Voter turnout, however, is expected to be low.
1st, 12th Districts Ones to Watch in Today's Primary (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 15)
'Dismal' Primary Turnout Likely (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 14)
Live Election Results (WRAL-TV, Raleigh, N.C.)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com