But now that there are once again open caucuses with no incumbent Republican running, the scene in Iowa is different.

As one of six Senate seats with no incumbent running, the race is crucial for party control of the Senate.

Equally difficult for Mr. Harshbarger, he must overcome the built-in advantage that Mr. Cellucci has as an incumbent running in economic good times.

The incumbent, New Zealander Don McKinnon, was nominated for another four-year term, and convention stipulates that an incumbent running again is to be unchallenged.

Of the 33 races, 6 have no incumbent running, 15 have Democratic incumbents running for re-election and 12 have Republican incumbents seeking re-election.

It was not clear how redistricting would affect candidates' stands on issues though it could, for example, if an incumbent anticipated running in a district distinctly more urban or more rural than the old district.

The Mayor said that with no incumbent running in 1988, the Presidential campaign presented an excellent opportunity for mayors to encourage candidates to address directly the problems of the cities.

Martin Kiar was the first person in Broward County's history to win an open (no incumbent running) Broward County Commission seat unopposed.

Thirty-one seats will have no incumbent running in November; 16 of them are now held by Republicans, 8 of whom arrived in the 1994 landslide, and 15 by Democrats.

The only Democratic incumbent running, Ray Thornton, also won easily.