GOP Gleeful, Hopeful About Elections

WASHINGTON — Republicans on Wednesday celebrated a sweep of key races in Tuesday’s elections and predicted more success in 1998 when 36 governorships, 34 Senate positions and every seat in the House are up for grabs.

In the top four races decided Tuesday, Republicans retained the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey, Rudolph W. Giuliani easily won reelection as mayor of New York City and Republican Vito Fossella won the only congressional seat at stake in New York’s Staten Island with 63% of the vote.

“These are great victories for Republicans. It again shows that Republicans are in tune with the American people, focusing on issues they care about,” said Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad, who orchestrated his party’s strategy in the two governors’ elections.

President Clinton said the elections showed voters are content. “The lesson of this year is that when the economy’s up and crime is down, people believe the country and their states and their communities are moving in the right directions and they tend to stay with incumbent candidates and parties,” he said.