Former mayors Dianne Feinstein and Harvey Gantt scored a pair of historic firsts for women and blacks by easily winning the Democratic nominations for governor in California and senator in North Carolina, but both face tougher odds in the general election.
Highlighting the busiest primary day of the year thus far, Feinstein, who made her gender a campaign issue, Tuesday became the first woman to capture a major party gubernatorial nomination in the Golden State. Gantt became the first black to win nomination to any major office in the Tarheel State.However, both Feinstein, a former mayor of San Francisco, and Gantt, a former chief executive of Charlotte, N.C., now must contend with a pair of Republican opponents who have well-established political bases and have proven they can win statewide.
In California, GOP Sen. Pete Wilson, 56, a popular two-term federal lawmaker and former San Diego mayor, easily defeated token opposition Tuesday to capture the Republican gubernatorial nomination. If not a favorite to replace retiring Republican Gov. George Deukmejian, Wilson must at least be viewed by Feinstein as an extremely tough opponent.
And in North Carolina, Gantt will contend with three-term Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, who is one of the most outspoken conservatives in the country and popular at home.
Nonetheless, both Feinstein and Gantt were ecstatic Tuesday night and looking forward to doing battle with their Republican rivals.
"Well, we did it!" Feinstein told cheering supporters in San Francisco after declaring victory over state Attorney General John Van de Kamp. "One mission completed - one to go."
"The times have really changed, yes they have," Gantt, 47, told happy supporters in Raleigh, N.C., after his Democratic runoff win over attorney Michael Easley.
"North Carolina needs a new kind of senator, someone with the very best hopes and aspirations of all the people of North Carolina," he added.
In all, nine states held primaries Tuesday. Incumbent governors and senators seeking re-election generally faced little opposition and had an easy day.
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Highlights of voting
ALABAMA
- Governor: State teacher lobbyist Paul Hubbert led a four-way Democratic race but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a June 26 runoff. Former Gov. Fob James, Attorney General Don Siegelman and U.S. Rep. Ronnie Flippo were in a close race for the second spot. Republican Gov. Guy Hunt was renominated.
Senate: Democratic Sen. Howell Heflin defeated token opposition in winning nomination to a third term. State Sen. Bill Cabaniss was unopposed for the GOP nomination.
CALIFORNIA - Governor: Former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein defeated Attorney General John Van de Kamp for the Democratic nomination. Republican Sen. Pete Wilson defeated minor opposition from within his party.
Ballot measure: Voters ended their decade-old tax revolt by increasing gasoline tases from 9 to 18 cents per gallon to renew a financially starved highway building program.
IOWA - Governor: In a three-way race, House Speaker Don Avenson won the Democratic nomination. Gov. Terry Branstad was unopposed for the GOP nomination.
MONTANA - Senate: Lt. Gov. Allen Kolstad won the GOP nomination over three competitors. Democratic Sen. Max Baucus overcame two little-known challengers.
NEW JERSEY - Senate: Democratic Sen. Bill Bradley easily won renomination. Republican Christine Todd Whitman was unopposed.
NEW MEXICO - Governor: Former Gov. Bruce King won the Democratic nomination and former state Rep. Frank Bond got the GOP nod. Each defeated three other candidates for their party nominations.
NORTH CAROLINA - Senate: Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt defeated Mike Easley, the Brunswick County district attorney, in the runoff for the Democratic nomination and will face GOP Sen. Jesse Helms.