ANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri voters cleared the way yesterday for a fierce fall contest for the US Senate, nominating Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan and first-term incumbent John Ashcroft, a Republican.
Carnahan and Ashcroft easily defeated little-known challengers in their primaries. A term limit, which is forcing Carnahan to retire, created an open race for Missouri governor.
Elsewhere, a Michigan Senate race drew no primary opposition, and Colorado and Georgia also held primary elections.
In other Missouri primary races, sons of two retiring members of Congress ran in an attempt to succeed their parents, drawing accusations they were trading on their family names. While each candidate emphasized his record in office, some acknowledged their advantage.
''I know that I inherit his friends as well as his enemies,'' William Clay Jr. said about his father, who is retiring after 32 years in the US House. ''Seeing as how he's been elected 16 times, I think he's got more friends than enemies in this congressional district.''
Early returns showed a tight race in the St. Louis district, with the younger Clay and County Councilman Charlie Dooley leading three other Democratic candidates. The winner is favored in the fall in this heavily Democratic district.
In another Missouri district, former state senator Steve Danner went up against three Democrats for the nomination to succeed his mother, US Representative Pat Danner. Five Republicans sought their party's nomination.
Also in Missouri, state Representative Matt Blunt won a three-way race for the GOP nomination for the US House seat his father, Roy Blunt, held from 1985 to 1993.
In Michigan, US Senator Spencer Abraham, a freshman Republican, and Democratic US Representative Debbie Stabenow moved ahead to their fall contest without primary challengers.
In Colorado, four Republicans sought the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic US Representative Mark Udall, who is in his first term.
In Georgia, millionaire businessman Roger Kahn won the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Clinton critic Bob Barr for his US House seat.
