1.   But Republicans predict incumbent Gov. George W. Bush will become the first GOP gubernatorial contender to carry this border city.

2.   The four gubernatorial contenders in Texas and Florida spent the last several days traversing their states and pleading for votes.

3.   The gubernatorial contenders in Texas and Florida spent the last several days traversing their states and pleading for votes.

4.   The only other Democratic gubernatorial contender, Houston lawyer John WorldPeace, was not invited to speak.

5.   The news is even less heartening for Checchi, who has slid into third place among the Democratic gubernatorial contenders, according to the Times poll.