Road to San Diego: GOP Primary Preview

Although the 1996 election season has been slow to take off, presidential primaries and caucuses are about to begin--with a vengeance. With President Clinton’s Democratic nomination all but certain, the spotlight is on the Republicans. Here is a rundown of states to watch along the road to the Republican National Convention in San Diego Aug. 12-15. A total of 1,990 delegates will be chosen, with 996 needed to win the nomination.

ELECTION MEMO

Who is Running?

Here is a rundown of the major Republican candidates, the addresses of their headquarters and their Internet connections:

Former Gov. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

1808 West End Ave., Suite 600; Nashville, TN 37203

Internet: https://www.lamar.com/~lamar

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Patrick J. Buchanan, commentator

6862 Elm St., Suite 210; McLean, VA 22101.

Internet: https://www.buchanan.org

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Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas

810 1st St. N.E., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002.

Internet: https://www.dole96.com

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Rep. Bob Dornan of California

6320 August Drive, Suite 101, Springfield, VA 22150.

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Steve Forbes, publisher

PO Box 1009, Bedminster, NJ 07921.

Internet: https://www.forbes96.com

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Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas

Lock Box 553; P.O.Box 8300; Dallas, TX 75205.

Internet: https://www.gramm96.org

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Alan Keyes, former diplomat

611 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E.,Suite 1150; Washington, DC 20003.

Internet: https://www.keyes.gocin.com

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Sen. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana

3921 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208.

Internet: https://www.iquest.net/lugar

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The Republican National Committee is located at 310 1st St. S.E., Washington, DC 20003. Its Internet address is https://www.rnc.org/

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What’s Up With the Democrats?

Democrats are also holding state caucuses and primaries, but President Clinton is the only major candidate. The 1996 Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago on Aug. 26-29. The Democratic National Committee is located at 430 S. Capitol St. S.E., Washington, DC 20003. Its Internet address is https://www.democrats.org.

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How Do I Reach The Times?

You can write to the Times at Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Letters to the Editor should be marked on the envelope. Correspondence about political coverage should be addressed to the National Political Desk. They desk also be reached via e-mail at political.desk@latimes.com.

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February 6

Louisiana

30 delegates.

First caucuses--with only Gramm, Buchanan and Keyes campaigning.

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February 12

Iowa

25 delegates.

First caucus state with most of the candidates competing.

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February 20

New Hampshire

16 delegates.

First presidential primary election of 1996; results watched nationally.

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March 2

South Carolina

37 delegates.

Early test of Southern Republicans. Wyoming also picks 20 delegates also.

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March 5

Yankee Primaries

241 delegates.

Nine states, including five in New England, Georgia and Maryland.

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March 12

Super Tuesday

353 delegates.

Five Southern states, including Texas and Florida. Oregon also votes.

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March 19

Midwest Primaries

229 delegates.

Primaries in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois--key states in November.

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March 26

California

165 delegates.

Biggest single primary; Nevada and Washington also vote today.

CALENDAR

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DATE STATE DELEGATES FEBRUARY 6 Lousiana 30 Caucus 12 Iowa 35 Caucus 20 New Hampshire 16 Primary 24 Delaware 12 Primary 27 Arizona 39 Primary North Dakota 18 Primary South Dakota 18 Primary MARCH 2 South Carolina 37 Primary Wyoming 20 Caucus 3 Puerto Rico 14 Primary 5 Colorado 27 Primary Connecticut 27 Primary Georgia 42 Primary Maine 15 Primary Maryland 32 Primary Massachusetts 37 Primary Minnesota 33 Primary Rhode Island 16 Primary Vermont 12 Primary 7 New York 102 Primary 12 Florida 98 Primary Mississippi 33 Primary Oklahoma 38 Primary Oregon 23 Primary Tennessee 38 Primary Texas 123 Primary 19 Illinois 69 Primary Michigan 57 Primary Ohio 67 Primary Wisconsin 36 Primary 25 Utah 28 Primary 26 CALIFORNIA 165 Primary Nevada 14 Primary Washington 36 Primary APRIL 2 Kansas 31 Primary 13 Virginia 53 Primary 23 Pennsylvania 73 Primary 27 Alaska 19 Convention MAY 7 District of Columbia 14 Primary Indiana 52 Primary North Carolina 58 Primary 14 Nebraska 24 Primary West Virginia 18 Primary 17 Missouri 36 Convention 19 Hawaii 14 Convention 21 Arkansas 20 Primary 28 Idaho 23 Primary Kentucky 26 Primary JUNE 4 Alabama 40 Primary Montana 14 Primary New Jersey 48 Primary New Mexico 18 Primary

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Note: A few states are still considering changes. American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands will choose four delegates each at territorial conventions.

Researched by ROB CIOE / Los Angeles Times