How else can one explain why over one-half of

How else can one explain why over one-half of the seats in the House and more than a third of those in the Senate are uncontested?

In the House of Delegates, 36 Democratic and 18 Republican nominees will coast into office without opposition. In addition, the lone independent, Del. Lacey Putney of Bedford, is unopposed.

There are three "open" seats in the House in which no incumbent is running. Two of these are contested, but the third, in Norfolk's 89th District, will go to Democrat Yvonne Miller who has no opponent. She thus appears destined to become the first black woman to serve in the Virginia General Assembly.

All told, including incumbents, the Democrats are fielding 81 House candidates and the Republicans 54. There will also be 10 independent candidates including Mr. Putney.

Among the Democrats, 18 nominees are women and five are black. Four of the Republican nominees are women. The number of black GOP candidates could not be determined because, according to a party spokesman, the Republicans do not record their candidates' race.

There are presently 11 women in the House. Of these, 10 are Democrats and one is a Republican. There are four incumbent black delegates, all of whom are Democrats.

On the Senate side, 15 Democratic and two Republican candidates are unopposed. There are; however, five “open” seats which give the GOP its best shot at making significant gains. Indeed, the Republicans can already count one additional senator in their column. Robert E. Russell of Chester is unopposed for the 11th District seat which is being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Frederick Gray.

In the Senate, including incumbents, there will be 38 Democratic, 23 Republican and three Independent candidates.

Of these, two Republicans and two Democrats are women. However, neither Republican Sen. Eva Scott of Amelia nor Democratic Sen. Evelyn Hailey of Norfolk is seeking re-election. Since these are the only two women in the upper house, there will be no incumbent women on this year’s Senatorial ballots.

Two black Democrats, both incumbents, will be running for new Senate terms.

In view of all this it appears unlikely that the present party alignment in the Assembly will be shifted dramatically after November elections. Still, the Republicans can reasonably expect to make modest gains, especially in the Senate.

However, as long as the GOP can come up with candidates for only slightly more than half the seats in both bodies, it would seem the Democrats can look forward to remaining the majority party in the legislature for a good many years to come.