Across Country, Cities Fill Mayors' Offices

IN New York City's Democratic mayoral primary, Mayor David Dinkins won 68 percent of the vote to 25 percent for Roy Innis, chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality. Eric Ruano Melendez trailed with 7 percent.

Mr. Dinkins defeated Rudolph Giuliani (R) four years ago in the closest mayoral election in New York City history, becoming the first black mayor of the nation's largest city. He will face the Republican again for what promises to be another bitter fight in the November general election.

Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., picked from crowded slates in open mayoral races. City Council President Sharon Sayles Belton and former Hennepin County Commissioner John Derus were the top two finishers in Minneapolis. They will vie in November to replace Don Fraser (D), who is retiring after four terms. In St. Paul, Assistant Attorney General Norm Coleman and state Rep. Andy Dawkins will compete in November to replace Mayor Jim Scheibel (D), who is stepping down after one term.

In Buffalo, N.Y., voters chose state Sen. Anthony Masiello, endorsed by the Democratic Party, for November's election to replace 16-year veteran James Griffin.

Hartford, Conn., Mayor Carrie Saxon Perry, the first black female mayor of a major city, won the Democratic primary, becoming the favorite in the Nov. 2 general election in the heavily Democratic city.

In Washington State, Seattle Mayor Norm Rice and challenger David Stern, who created the ``happy face,'' finished first and second, respectively, in the nonpartisan primary.