New Faces In The Senate

By Jodie Morse; Nadya Labi; Michele Orecklin

PRESCRIPTION FOR VICTORY Debbie Stabenow, Democrat, Michigan

Democrats looking to pick off Senate seats tagged that of Spencer Abraham, a first-termer and Michigan's first G.O.P. Senator in more than 20 years, as their easiest target. The contest turned out to be a squeaker, but two-term Congresswoman Debbie Stabenow finally delivered. Though outspent by nearly 2 to 1, the bubbly Stabenow outshone her often lusterless opponent on the campaign trail and in the debates. Stabenow, 50, who had previously served in the state legislature for 16 years, starting at age 28, campaigned most vigorously on prescription-drug benefits for the elderly. For months, the Abraham campaign flooded Michigan voters with ads calling Stabenow a prescription for disaster. But Stabenow had a cannier vote-getting strategy: she sponsored bus tours for senior citizens, dubbed the Stabenow Rx Express, across the border into Canada to buy medications at cheap rates, a gimmick employed by Democratic candidates along the northern border states.

--By Jodie Morse

THE WIDOW'S MIGHT Mel Carnahan, Democrat, Missouri

The most emotional victory in the battle for the Senate came when Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, who was killed in a plane crash on Oct. 16, beat out Republican incumbent John Ashcroft. It was too late to remove his name from the ballot, and Carnahan's Democratic successor as Governor said he would appoint Carnahan's wife Jean, 66, to the Senate seat if her late husband won. "My husband's journey was cut short," she said last week. "And for reasons we don't understand, the mantle has now fallen upon us." Some Republicans grumbled about her right to assume that mantle, but Ashcroft, gracious in defeat, said, "Missouri is a compassionate state, and I think, in a very special way, they have demonstrated their compassion."

--By Nadya Labi

SPENDING SPREE Jon Corzine, Democrat, New Jersey

With a price tag of some $60 million, Jon Corzine's ticket to the U.S. Senate was the costliest in history. The former co-chairman of Goldman Sachs spent $3 million from his $400 million personal cache on Election Day alone--about $20 a vote--to defeat four-term Congressman Bob Franks for the New Jersey seat of retiring Democrat Frank Lautenberg. Though the biggest issue in the race was the amount of campaign spending (Republicans dubbed Corzine the "human ATM machine"), Corzine ran on one of the most liberal platforms in the nation, advocating such edgy programs as public preschool and universal health care. On the trail, Corzine spun the funding issue in his favor, noting he would not be beholden to campaign contributors. But for all the money spent, Corzine's winning margin was a slim 3%. --J.M.

HE'S GOT LIFT-OFF Bill Nelson, Democrat, Florida

While a Congressman in 1986, Bill Nelson launched his public profile by riding aboard the space shuttle. That profile is again in high orbit since Nelson beat Bill McCollum for the Senate seat held the past two terms by retiring Republican Connie Mack. Nelson, 58, Florida's state insurance commissioner, painted McCollum, a 10-term Congressman best known for his ferocious prosecution of President Clinton during the impeachment trial, as an extremist, out of step with Florida voters, and accused him of passing himself off as a moderate during the campaign. Nelson's platform included preserving Social Security and offering Medicare-provided prescription-drug benefits, issues that played well with Florida's significant elderly population.

--By Michele Orecklin

CHUCKING ROBB George Allen, Republican, Virginia

George Allen, the amiable, tobacco-chewing son of a former Washington Redskins coach, ran a penetrating offense to unseat two-term Democrat and onetime party phenom Charles Robb. Allen, 48, portrayed the wonkish and sometimes wooden Robb as ineffective during his Senate tenure and too liberal to defend "Virginia values." Both Allen and Robb are former Virginia Governors credited with galvanizing their parties. Allen is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative who favors tax cuts and small government and opposes most gun-control laws (in a reversal of his position, he now supports a federal ban on assault weapons). He has said he would allow abortions only if heartbeats or brain waves are undetectable in the fetus or in the case of danger to the health of the mother. --M.O.