Election Notes CONGRESS

Although House incumbents won re-election in more than 90% of their races, voters proved there are limits to tolerance. In Georgia's De Kalb County, Congressman Pat Swindall was indicted last month for lying to a grand jury about accepting a $150,000 loan that might have been laundered drug money. His constituents tossed him out in favor of actor Ben Jones, formerly Cooter on TV's The Dukes of Hazzard.

Rhode Island's Fernand St. Germain, chairman of the powerful House Banking Committee and a 1987 target of a House ethics investigation, lost his bid for a 15th term to attorney Ronald K. Machtley. Last month a Justice Department document disclosed "evidence of serious and sustained misconduct" in St. Germain's dealings with a lobbyist.