He faces his first big hurdle Tuesday.

That's the signature-gathering deadline for candidates hoping to run in November's elections to the Massachusetts House and Senate.

For Cellucci, there's more than just political pride on the line. Unless the GOP can capture at least a third of the seats in either body -- it currently has neither -- Cellucci could face another two years without enough Republican lawmakers to sustain his vetoes.

Republican leaders are scrambling to help give Cellucci that edge.

"I think we're doing really well. We're continuing candidate recruitment. We're going to keep doing it up until the last hour," Massachusetts Republican Committee Chairman Brian Cresta said Thursday.

Cellucci isn't the only politician with his eye on Tuesday's filing deadline.

Democratic House Speaker Thomas Finneran, criticized for his handling of the recent "Animal House" scandal, could face a challenge in his home district.

A group of progressive activists is rallying behind the longshot campaign of Willie Mae O'Neal, a longtime neighborhood activist and grandmother of 36, who hopes to unseat the powerful Mattapan Democrat.

O'Neal did not return a call Thursday.

The more competition the better, according to Andi Mullin, political director of Commonwealth Coalition.

"Massachusetts is second in the nation in uncontested seats," Mullin said. "I think it's great the speaker has competition. I would say that about any member of the Legislature."

One GOP Statehouse hopeful is Christopher LoConto, a former assistant district attorney in Worcester. LoConto is running for the Senate seat now held by Democrat Robert Bernstein. Berstein is not seeking re-election.

LoConto said he made his decision to run in January, but conceded the recent turmoil in the House can't hurt his chances. During an all-night budget debate earlier this month some House members reportedly drank alcohol, slept and cast ballots for each other.

"What happened in the House, that was a disgrace. That's what happens when one party has unchecked authority," LoConto said.

In Holyoke, Republican City Councilor Kevin Jourdain is taking on incumbent Democratic Rep. Evelyn Chesky. In Waltham, Republican City Councilor Michael Squillante is running for the seat left open by the departure of former independent Rep. David Gately.

And in Lakeville, Republican Selectman Chawner Hurd is poised to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Marc R. Pacheco.

"Every since 1990 we've had fewer candidates running," Cresta said. "Tuesday is going to be the beginning of the upward turn."

Massachusetts Republicans have seen their own share of embarassing episodes, including Lt. Gov. Jane Swift's apology for taking a helicopter ride to a family home in western Massachusetts and last year's "booze cruise" that forced the ouster of former Massport Executive Director Peter Blute.

The GOP has already shifted its sights from top Democratic names like U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy to smaller races, said Democratic political analyst Mary Anne Marsh.

"I would look long and hard Tuesday to see what kind of opposition the Republicans are going to be able to offer," Marsh said. "You have to question how viable the Republican Party can be."

Cellucci's immediate goal is getting enough Republicans elected to sustain a veto. In the 160-member House, the magic number is 54. In the 40-member Senate, the goal is 14.

The GOP now has just 27 Republicans in the House and seven in the Senate.

To get on the ballot, candidates for the House need 150 signatures of registered voters. Senate candidates need 300. Even if they don't collect the signatures, candidates can still launch write-in campaigns.

Democratic leaders are hopeful they will hold onto their veto-proof majorities in both houses.

"We're feeling reasonably confident," said Massachusetts Democratic Party Executive Director Mark White. "Democrats are on the right side of the issues."

Republican analyst Charley Manning isn't so sure, particularly in the wake of the "Animal House" scandal.

"I think the disgraceful behavior will encourage a lot more people to get on the ballot," he said. "The only way you're going to get rid of these bums is to run."