As the apparent front-runner, Mr. Hart would be the one most likely to push for these tests, but he is avoiding them.

The Coca-Cola Company named two senior vice presidents yesterday, creating apparent front-runners for the job of chief executive.

"I think eventually," said John Lawe, 63, president of the Transport Workers Union of America and this year's apparent front-runner.

The early stages of the race found him as the apparent front-runner in a weak field, especially in terms of fundraising prowess and organization.

That reasoning is seemingly shared, at least in part, by Mr. Dole, the apparent front-runner in the Republican race.

That puts candidates with 2 or even 1 percent within striking distance of the apparent front-runners.

State Senator James E. McGreevey of Woodbridge is the apparent front-runner, with the backing of 11 county organizations.

Such boldness made Mr. Gerlach the apparent front-runner for the job of Speaker of Parliament.

The three apparent front-runners had plenty of opportunities to make their case, but the lesser-known candidates had to jostle for attention.

At the moment, party leaders say, the apparent front-runner is Scott Stringer, who helped manage Mr. Nadler's campaign in the Democratic County Committee last week.