1.  And he has wiped out Bush leads in such important Midwestern states as Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

2.  And polls were already beginning to show that Forbes was still stuck in the single digit range in such important upcoming primary states as Michigan and South Carolina.

3.  After this session is over, voters will be given a rare chance to choose a very important state Legislature this fall.

4.  But Cardoso avoided a runoff by the smallest of margins, and his allies failed to win in many important states.

5.  But Los Angeles, situated in the most important electoral state, is certain to be on the list of finalists announced next Thursday.

6.  But Kentucky, with eight electoral votes, remains an important state for Democratic presidential contenders.

7.  But officials of both parties say that Washington will attract attention from presidential contenders because it will be an important state in the general election campaign.

8.  But while many more states are leaning toward Bush, polls and politicians agree that in several important states, the governor is barely ahead.

9.  Californians pick a new governor for the most important state in the union.

10.  Dole attended an event at a Paradise Valley home hosted by former Attorney General Grant Woods and designed to raise her profile in an important early primary state.