FIGHT FOR THE STATE HOUSES

Of the nation's state houses (34 occupied by Democrats, 16 by Republicans), 27 by law are due next month for either new tenants or for extensions of the old leases. Among this year's liveliest races:

Arizona. Go-Getter Democrat Lee Ackerman, 39, a Missouri-born real estate millionaire, is running a well-organized middle-of-the-road campaign against Republican Incumbent Paul Fannin, 53, wealthy Phoenix gas distributor. Zesty Democrat Ackerman could win unless Nixon carries Arizona by enough of a landslide to bring his ticket along with him.

Illinois. Democrat Otto Kerner, 52, a matinee-idol Cook County (Chicago) judge with an impeccable record, is being matched against lackluster Republican Incumbent William Stratton, 46, trying for an unprecedented third term on a record tinged with statehouse scandal. Judge Kerner, the favorite, has endorsements from such normally Republican papers as the Peoria Journal Star and Rockford Star.

Indiana. Democratic Candidate Matthew Empson Welsh. 48, a trial lawyer by trade, is aiming his best prosecution stabs at arch-conservative Republican Crawford Parker, 54. lieutenant governor during the drab regime of outgoing Governor Harold Handley, who cannot succeed himself and would be defeated if he could try.

Maine. Middle-of-the-road Republican Incumbent John Hathaway Reed, 39, state senate president when he was sworn in as interim Governor after Democrat Clinton Clauson died in office last December, faces a well-known opponent: trim, laconic Democrat Frank Coffin, 41. Representative from Maine's Second District. Hard working Congressman Coffin is still the betting choice, but Potato Farmer John Reed has cut heavily into an early Democratic lead.

Massachusetts. Outgoing Democrat Foster Furcolo's job is up for grabs. Both Republican John Anthony Volpe, 51, a prosperous contractor, and voluble Democratic Secretary of State Joseph Duckford Ward, 46, a dark-horse primary winner over six opponents, promise to bring back good clean government. Native Son John Kennedy's statewide lead gives Democrat Ward an advantage.

Minnesota. Folksy Republican Elmer Andersen, 51, wealthy adhesives-company president and former state senator, is giving three-term Incumbent Orville Freeman, 42, a key shepherd of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor flock, the race of his life.

Montana. Plodding, conscientious Lawyer Don Nutter, 44, a self-styled "pretty progressive Republican," is catching up on Democratic Lieutenant Governor Paul Cannon, 58, who has a reputation for zany unpredictability and some unpopular ultra-liberal ties, e.g., the Red-lining Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers.

Washington. Conservative Republican Lloyd J. Andrews, Spokane apple rancher turned state superintendent of public instruction, is trying to unseat Democratic Incumbent Albert ("The Rose") Rosellini, 50. Rosellini has a strong machine, but his first term was flecked with scandal; Andrews is a vibrant campaigner but lacks his opponent's political savvy. The Rose has a leaf-thin margin.

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