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Washington voters bid farewell to their 65-year old blanket primary system Tuesday by sending former U.S. congresswoman Maria Cantwell into a potentially close Senate showdown with incumbent Sen. Slade Gorton (R).

After a six-year sabbatical from politics, Cantwell spent $5 million to overtake state Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn in the primary and enter into a general election race that is expected to be the costliest in state history. But for Democrats hoping to win back the Senate majority, the cost might be worth it. Gorton's relatively weak showing in the total vote — he only outpolled Cantwell 43-36 percent — shows the three-term senator could be a vulnerable candidate.
• Millions Spent on Ads Pay Off for Cantwell (Seattle Times, 09/20/00)
• Cantwell — The Comeback Kid Rolls to Win (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 09/20/00)
• Gorton-Cantwell Race: Millionaires Square Off (Seattle Times, 09/20/00)
• Voters Say Farewell to Open Primaries (Everett Herald, 09/20/00)
• Cantwell Wins Wash. Primary to Take on Gorton (Congressional Quarterly, 09/20/00)
• More Coverage: Wash. Senate Race | Other Races

Calif. Senate: Campbell Unveils Unconventional Drug Plan

Taking a political gamble in his Senate bid against incumbent Dianne Feinstein, California Rep. Tom Campbell (R) is traveling the state this week promoting an overhaul of the drug war with a plan so radical that it garnered the support of the state's most liberal district attorney.
• Rep. Campbell Unveils Radical Drug Proposal (San Francisco Examiner, 09/19/00)
• Campbell to Map Out New Drug Strategy (Sacramento Bee, 09/19/00)
• Campbell Urges Broad Approach to Drug War (Los Angeles Times, 09/19/00)
• Profiles: Sen. Dianne Feinstein | Rep. Tom Campbell
• More Coverage: Calif. Senate Race

Feinstein's challenger from 1994, millionaire Michael Huffington, emerged from exile last weekend, and told Republicans at their state convention that he's not done with California politics.
• Huffington's Reappearance Surprises GOP (San Francisco Chronicle, 09/18/00)
• Huffington Calls for GOP Tolerance (Associated Press, 09/17/00)

N.Y. Senate: Lazio Forced to Defend Debate Action

As Rep. Rick Lazio (R) tried to turn his attention to wooing upstate New York voters, his Senate campaign was forced Tuesday to deal with criticism that he "bullied" first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) in their debate last week — prompting Lazio to say such accusations were "sexist."
• Lazio Takes Wing Upstate in Push to Earn Support (New York Daily News, 09/20/00)
• Lazio Says Debate Critics Are Sexist (The New York Times, 09/20/00)
• Lazio Calls Attacks 'Sexist' (Albany Times Union, 09/20/00)
• Lazio Calls Flak Over Debate 'Sexist' (New York Newsday, 09/20/00)
• More Coverage: N.Y. Senate Race

Wis. 2nd District: Candidates Back Post-Election Campaign Reform

Both candidates for Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District seat — Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) and GOP challenger John Sharpless — signed a pact last week to support campaign finance reform, regardless of the winner. Ironically, their race is on track to set a Wisconsin fundraising record.
• Candidates in Race Agree to Reform (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 09/15/00)
• More Coverage: Wis. 2nd District Race

N.H. Governor: Candidates Set Busy Debate Schedule

Republican gubernatorial candidate Gordon Humphrey backed up a campaign claim to debate Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) "anytime, anywhwere" by agreeing to a busy, diverse schedule of formal face-offs. The first of 10 debates will take place Monday afternoon.
• Shaheen, Humphrey to Face Off in 10 Debates (Manchester Union Leader, 09/19/00)
• Humphrey, Shaheen Agree to 10 Debates (Associated Press, 09/19/00)
• More Coverage: N.H. Governor's Race

"Certainly, hiring a baby sitter would have been cheaper." – Paul D. McMaster, press secretary for the Massachusetts Republican Party, on the $1,250 fine imposed on Lt. Gov. Jane M. Swift (R) by the state ethics commission for using state House aides to watch her children.
• Swift Hit With $1,250 Ethics Commission Fine
(Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 09/20/00)

Jason Thompson can be reached at jason.thompson@washingtonpost.com. Early Returns runs Monday-Thursday.