On the Hustings
N.J. VOTERS BACK LAUTENBERG, ZIMMER FOR SENATE
Senator Lautenberg easily fought off two Democratic primary challengers yesterday while Republican voters appeared to favor a former Congressman, Richard Zimmer, to run for Mr. Lautenberg's seat this fall. With 72% of the precincts reporting, the incumbent senator won 65% of the vote, defeating Rep. Robert Andrews, who posted 30 %, and Mayor Donald Cresitello, who had 6%, the Associated Press reported. Mr. Andrews, 50, apparently got little traction from highlighting the age of Mr. Lautenberg, 84, who would be 91 when his next Senate term ends.
In the Republican contest, Mr. Zimmer had 46% support, leading a state senator, Joseph Pennacchio, with 40%, and a college professor, Murray Sabrin, with 14%.
With New Jersey's presidential primary moved to February, turnout was light yesterday, but Democratic voters outnumbered Republicans by almost two to one.
WILSON TRAILS PEARCE FOR G.O.P. SENATE NOD IN NEW MEXICO
Two members of Congress from New Mexico, Heather Wilson and Stevan Pearce, faced off yesterday in a hard-fought battle for the Republican nomination to succeed Senator Domenici. Ms. Wilson got a late endorsement from Mr. Domenici, who is not seeking re-election, citing health problems. Mr. Pearce had the backing of an advertising campaign paid for by a conservative, anti-tax group, the Club for Growth.
With 15% of precincts reporting, Mr. Pearce had an early lead, with 56% of the vote. Ms. Wilson had 44%, according to the Associated Press.
The Republican nominee is expected to run against the state's only other congressman, Thomas Udall, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
PRIEST WHO MOCKED CLINTON SUSPENDED
A Roman Catholic priest who mocked Senator Clinton while speaking at Senator Obama's former church last week was suspended yesterday to "reflect on his recent statements and actions in the light of the church's regulations for all Catholic priests," according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The Reverend Michael Pfleger, who accused Mrs. Clinton of acting "entitled" and pretended to be her crying over "a black man stealing my show," was ordered take leave by Cardinal Francis George, the Associated Press reported.
The statement said Rev. Pfleger objected to being removed from the pulpit, though he promised to no longer mention any presidential candidate by name.
ACTRESS: VANITY FAIR SHOULD APOLOGIZE FOR CLINTON 'INNUENDO'
A Hollywood actress, Gina Gershon, is demanding that Vanity Fair retract what her lawyer says is the magazine's "innuendo-laden assertion" that Ms. Gershon had an affair with President Clinton. The story, by Todd Purdum, which has prompted denials and verbal attacks on the author by Mr. Clinton, suggests the former president has been intimate with various women in recent years and refers to "recent high-end Hollywood dinner party gossip that Clinton has been seen visiting with the actress Gina Gershon in California."
Ms. Gershon's lawyer, Lynda Goldman, said in a letter to the magazine that the actress has been in the presence of the former president only three times, that numerous others were always present, and that insinuations of a sexual relationship were "absolutely false." Ms. Goldman's letter, which was posted by TMZ.com, did not explicitly threaten a lawsuit.
DELEGATES
OBAMA* 2144
CLINTON 1919.5
TO WIN 2118
TOTAL 4234
