WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, September 16) -- In the final busy day of the primary season, voters in nine states and the District of Columbia narrowed the field of candidates Tuesday, setting up some high-profile November matchups.

In New York, Rep. Charles Schumer captured the Democratic nomination for Senate with 51 percent of the vote, and will face Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in November. Schumer, a nine-term congressman, trounced rivals Geraldine Ferraro and Mark Green.

"Al D'Amato -- you ain't seen nothing yet," Schumer told cheering supporters.

Rep. Charles Schumer

In Washington state, Republicans picked two-term conservative Rep. Linda Smith to challenge Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, a top GOP target this year. Smith, a proponent of overhauling campaign finance laws, beat millionaire Chris Bayley, and could get a boost from Washington supporters of Ross Perot.

In Minnesota, Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III, who played a role in achieving a $6.6 billion settlement with tobacco companies on health care costs, defeated two other sons of famous politicians to win the Democratic nomination for governor. Humphrey will face St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman in November.

In Massachusetts, acting Gov. Paul Cellucci captured 58 percent of the vote against state Treasurer Joe Malone in the Republican primary. Cellucci will face Democratic Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, who won a three-way primary race with 51 percent.

The Tuesday's elections -- primaries in eight states and the District of Columbia and a runoff in Oklahoma -- were the first since last's week release of Independent Counsel Ken Starr's report on his sex-and-perjury investigation of President Bill Clinton. Analysts are looking at the results and turnout for signs how the Lewinsky scandal could affect Democrats come November.

New York Sen. D'Amato is on most analysts' lists of vulnerable senators this year, but he is ready for Schumer's challenge with a $20 million warchest.

Ferraro, the only woman ever nominated for the vice presidency, announced she had made her final run for office, and was gracious in defeat, boosting Schumer and stressing the need for Democratic unity.

In Washington state, Smith has called for Clinton's resignation, and has accused Murray of turning her back on constituents and being co-opted by Washington power brokers and lobbyists.

In Minnesota, where Republican Gov. Arne Carlson is retiring after two terms, observers dubbed the Democratic gubernatorial primary the "My Three Sons" election: Humphrey, the son of the former vice president and senator; Mike Freeman, son of former Gov. Orville Freeman; and Ted Mondale, son of former Vice President Walter Mondale, who was Ferraro's 1984 running mate.

Humphrey, who picked up 37 percent of the vote, will face Coleman, a close friend and former Democrat, who won the Republican primary.

New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone won the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. George Pataki. Vallone defeated two other Democrats, including Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey Ross, once a rising GOP star, who switched parties.

In Maryland, the governor's race will be a repeat contest between incumbent Democrat Parris Glendening and Republican challenger Ellen Sauerbrey, who nearly beat him four years ago. Both easily won their parties' nominations.

Democrats stand a chance of winning a governor's seat in Rhode Island, where Republican Gov. Lincoln Almond is seeking a second term. He had no primary opposition, and 1994 nominee Myrth York easily won the Democratic primary.

Michael Capuano

In the open Democratic race in Massachusetts' 8th congressional district, Somerville Mayor Michael Capuano beat former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn and eight other Democrats for the nomination to succeed Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II. The victory is tantamount to election in the traditionally Democratic district.

In other House races, Washington state Republicans selected state Sen. Don Benton to face Democrat Brian Baird. The winner will fill the seat that Linda Smith is leaving.

And Connecticut Democrats picked former state lawmaker John Larson to replace Rep. Barbara Kennelly in a heavily Democratic district. Kennelly is running for governor. In North Carolina, Republicans chose dentist Scott Keadle to face Democratic Rep. Melvin Watt, weakened by redistricting.

In Washington, D.C., former financial control officer Anthony Williams easily won the Democratic nomination for mayor, and will face Republican Carol Schwartz in November. Incumbent Marion Barry opted not to run after four terms.

In Oklahoma, a Senate runoff included a Democratic candidate who died before the August primary. Jacquelyn Morrow Lewis Ledgerwood got 25 percent of the vote, but Don E. Carroll won the nomination to face Republican Sen. Don Nickles in the fall.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, September 16, 1998

• Wallace remembered as man with 'courage to change'
• Lewinsky questions dominate Clinton-Havel news conference
• Transcript: U.S. President Bill Clinton, Czech President Vaclav Havel
• House Judiciary Committee considers releasing Clinton videotape
• Poll: Americans leaning toward censure of Clinton
• Jones case documents could be public in two weeks
• Mourners praise George Wallace at vigil

Election '98
• Election '98 in full swing after last big primary night
• Connecticut primary results
• Maryland primary results
• Massachusetts primary results
• Minnesota primary results
• New York primary results
• North Carolina House results
• Oklahoma runoff results
• Rhode Island primary results
• Washington primary results

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