A campaign spokesman for Ms. Holtzman, George Arzt, said Mr. Hevesi was provoking a divisive contest.

A mayoral by-election was held to succeed Di Ciocco in September 1984, and Renaud defeated Moschella in an extremely divisive contest.

He lost the 2001 leadership convention to become Liberal party leader to Roger Grimes by 14 votes in a divisive contest.

To avoid a potentially divisive contest, Janata leaders asked Jayaprakash Narayan and Jivatram Kripalani to select the party's leader, pledging to abide by their choice.

Davis was defeated in Ward 21, losing to fellow councillor Joe Mihevc by over 3,500 votes following a very divisive contest.

The most divisive contest this time concerns issues that divide some rich and poor nations.

The campaign was seen as one of Ann Arbor's more divisive mayoral contests of recent years.

Despite agreement among party leaders that the elections should be held in 'a mild climate,' it looks like being a divisive contest.

It chose Doug Young just months before the vote in a divisive contest that came down to a final ballot against Joseph A. Day.

Conversations with voters across South Carolina reveal that the Republican primary tomorrow is a close, divisive contest and that the outcome will hinge on the turnout.