51.   If Carnahan is elected, the acting governor, Democrat Roger Wilson, would name a replacement, who must be approved by the state Senate.

52.   If Whitman had won the race, state Senate President Donald T. DiFrancesco would have become acting governor and the likely frontrunner.

53.   If Whitman left for Washington in mid-January, he would be acting governor until the election while at the same time keeping his post as Senate president.

54.   In an era before governors made sure nothing important was on the agenda before leaving the state, Proctor served several eventful periods as acting governor.

55.   In the latter case, the acting governor failed to respond properly this week to concerns raised about Isabel Miranda, his first choice for state treasurer.

56.   Instead, the acting governor saw his initial victory on the death penalty vanish under his nose when a Democratic lawmaker changed his vote.

57.   It is now up to the acting governor, Jane Swift, to offer available state funds to give this vital initiative the life it deserves.

58.   Last week, the acting governor said there was no reason to change course.

59.   Last week the acting governor failed to garner enough votes in the Duma to win confirmation in her post.

60.   Last summer, Cellucci became acting governor when Weld resigned to pursue the ill-fated ambassadorship to Mexico.