The GOP needs seven new seats to seize the majority from Democrats. Even modest gains will make the threat of filibuster more potent than ever, and Clinton’s job harder.

Forty new Republican representatives would swing the House, giving the GOP control for the first time since 1954. But that goal remains elusive even in tumultuous 1994.

It’s been a century since GOP candidates last had real chances to keep control or win the governor’s office in eight of the 10 largest states. Some megaraces–California, New York–are too close to call.

Thumbs up from Rudy Giuliani may give N.Y.’s three-term guy a fourth.

DiFi gets boost from Marisela, challenger Michael Huffington’s “beloved,” but illegal, nanny.

The first speaker of the House! from west of the Rockies may end up stranded there after January. Many voters say he’s business-as-usual incarnate.

In this bellwether Oklahoma Senate race, even a “New” Democrat with a once bright fixture feels old to sun-belt voters eager for change.

Tenn. Democrat talks like a Republican and runs ads on Limbaugh show. Real GOPs, and many Dems, are unmoved.

They could be this year’s real winners. Gerryman-dering ensures few upsets among black incumbents. With 25 black Republicans running for House, Gary Franks, the party’s sole black member, will likely get some company.

In 1992, 115 newcomers arrived in Congress, many of them Dems swept in with the new president. Now that Clinton’s coattails are seriously frayed, many could lose their jobs in 1994.

Texas Gov. Ann Richards has tried to narrow gap by attacking Bush’s business deals.

To the right of Dad on crime and values, Jeb has Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles on the ropes.

A moderate on immigration, Brown, whose father and brother were California guys, has tightened race with Gov. Pete Wilson.

Stalwart in two debates, the family patriarch is defending his seat against son of former Michigan governor.

Despite charges of loose living, Teddy’s son, 27, leads easily in Rhode Island Senate race.

One of four cousins on the hustings, Townsend’s gunning hard for lieutenant governor of Maryland.

A federal indictment for embezzlement doesn’t raze Rosty’s Chicago faithful. Re-election a cakewalk.

Fighting for political life, the Illinois representative stands accused of having sex with a minor, a charge he denies.

Washington’s former mayor, a reformed drug user. is headed again to city hall on the “redemption ticket.”

Indicted for failure to pay taxes, the California Democrat still has unimpeachable luck: he’s running for a second House term without a COP challenger.

Texas rep. under federal investigation for allegedly accepting thousands in free poker chips, among other favors. He denies it.

Same, alleged scum threatens House seat of this Texan.

Caesars Palace used to do the trick, but former Cher mate (and mayor of Palm Springs) now dreams of playing House of Representatives.

Florida race-car driver runs for House.

As Cooler on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Jones outwitted Boss Hogg. His current foe, Newt Gingrich, is tougher.

Senate warms-be appeared on TV movie; Tennessee NBC affiliates had to give opponent, Jim Cooper, equal time.

Drives souped-up De-Solo made the same year his opponent first took Iowa seat in Congress: 1958.

“I have been representing you in Washington for the past 12 years,” Representative Hartsen recently told crowd of Utah voters. Well, 14 actually. Nice try.

Self-deprecating candidate for Illinois governor tried out buttons with Plain Jane appeal.

After winning COP nomination for Hawaii House seat in September, Garner went AWOL. Republicans even hired private eye. Still no sightings.

California’s Prop 187, which would expel illegal aliens from schools and deny them nonemergency medical care, is the testiest issue in state elections.

Statewide effort to prohibit gay-rights legislation appears on ballots in Oregon; Idahoans will have a chance to go further by also restricting education on gay issues.

Voters in Arizona and Colorado will decide whether to linance health care with new taxes on tobacco.

An Oregon initiative would allow doctors to help terminally ill adults end their own lives. Initial support is strong.

Citizens of six states may opt for the ultimate voters’ revenge: mandatory limits on politicians’ stays in state, and even federal, office.