GOP Nets Big Win in Va.; Democrats Gain Elsewhere

Republicans and Democrats waged a series of local skirmishes in largely quiet off-year elections across the nation Tuesday, with the GOP scoring a historic victory in Virginia and Democrats picking up two Midwestern mayoral offices and easily holding on to the governor’s mansion in Kentucky.

Republicans picked up the seats they needed in the Virginia House of Delegates to take total control of the state Legislature for the first time this century.

In a city where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 4 to 1, the Philadelphia mayoral race between former City Council president John F. Street, a Democrat, and businessman Sam Katz, a Republican, was a contest. With 84% of precincts reporting, Street had 189,590 votes and Katz had 166,329.

Philadelphia would be a particularly satisfying win for Republicans, who will hold their national convention in the city next year. On the other hand, a loss would be particularly stinging for Democrats, because outgoing Mayor Edward G. Rendell is the party’s new general chairman.

In the Mississippi governor’s race, with 93% of precincts reporting, Democrat Ronnie Musgrove had 346,367 votes to Republican Mike Parker’s 346,137. Two lesser-known candidates split the rest in the race to succeed GOP Gov. Kirk Fordice, who by law could not seek a third term and spent most of the campaign on the sidelines following disclosure of an extramarital affair.

In the day’s other gubernatorial contest, Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Paul Patton cruised to a second term. Patton had 62% of the vote to 22% for Republican Peppy Martin and about 15% for Reform Party-backed candidate Gatewood Galbraith. Patton was the first Kentucky governor eligible under state law for reelection to a successive term since 1800.

Democrats pointed to two Midwestern mayoral contests in cities that have been under Republican control for a quarter-century as evidence of their appeal to swing voters going into the 2000 elections.

In Indianapolis, developer Bart Peterson defeated Republican Secretary of State Sue Anne Gilroy in an expensive race to succeed outgoing Republican Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, who chose not to seek a third term.

“Winning in a city that has had a Republican mayor for 32 years in a state that is traditionally Republican is a great win for us,” said Democratic national chairman Joe Andrew.

Voters in Columbus, Ohio, elected the first African American mayor in city history, breaking a Republican lock dating to 1972, as City Council President Michael Coleman defeated Republican Dorothy Teater, a former teacher who spent heavily on advertising.