Pa. is key battleground in '96 presidential race Bipartisan consensus gives Clinton early lead; CAMPAIGN 1996

HARRISBURG, PA. — HARRISBURG, Pa. -- If you want to chart the presidential campaign of 1996, this is as good a place to start as any.

2 (Those of Hispanic descent may be of any race)

Political lineup

Governor: Tom Ridge (R), elected 1994

U.S. Senators: Arlen Specter (R), elected 1980

Rick Santorum (R), elected 1994

House of Representatives: 21 total (11 D, 10 R)

Registered Voters

6,389,163 -- (March 1996)

Democrat -- 49.3%

Republican -- 43.3%

Other -- 7.4%

How State Voted in Recent Presidential Elections:

1992: Clinton (D) -- 45%

Bush (R) -- 36%

Perot (I) 18%

1988: Bush (R) -- 51%

Dukakis (D) 48%

1984 Reagan (R) -- 53%

Mondale (D) -- 46%

1980 Reagan (R) -- 50%

Carter (D) -- 42%

Anderson (I) -- 6%

1976 Carter (D) -- 51%

Ford (R) -- 49%