Pennsylvania, Wisconsin hold presidential primaries

Associated Press, 04/04/00

Having secured their party nominations last month, Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush faced little competition Tuesday in presidential primaries in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Both candidates won more than enough delegates from primaries and caucuses in other states to lock up the presidential nominations last month.

But the Democratic vice president and Republican governor were not the only candidates appearing on the ballots in both states.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, publisher Steve Forbes and conservative activist Gary Bauer, though all former candidates, were on the Republican ballots. Also listed is former ambassador Alan Keyes, who is running but not considered a threat to Bush.

Former senator Bill Bradley, who dropped out, and perennial candidate Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. were on the Democratic ballots.

Tuesday's results were important despite the lack of drama. Pennsylvania, with 23 Electoral College votes, could be a critical swing state in November. Wisconsin has 11 electoral votes.

Besides declaring their presidential preferences, voters in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also were electing delegates to the national Democratic and Republican party conventions this summer in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, respectively.