"All Republican members would, of course, prefer to be able to stand by the Speaker, the highest-ranking Republican in the land," he said.

Several party officials expressed particular concern about Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the majority whip, who is the highest-ranking Republican who has called upon the President to resign.

As New Jersey's highest-ranking Republican, State Senator John O. Bennett was not supposed to have to do this.

Gerald Ford rose to become the highest-ranking Republican in the House, then was appointed Vice President to Richard Nixon when Spiro Agnew resigned from that position in 1973.

For one thing, John Bennett, the Senate co-president and the state's highest-ranking Republican, has been accused of having profited a little too handsomely from his legal work for local governments.

Mr. Lance's elevation to State Senate minority leader, which comes three weeks after Senate President John O. Bennett lost his bid for re-election, makes him the state's highest-ranking Republican.

Ms. Pirro visited the fair last week, attending the opening ceremonies with Gov. George E. Pataki, the state's highest-ranking Republican, but not with her husband, according to one of her advisers.

One of the state's highest-ranking Republicans, Attorney General Daniel E. Lungren, has publicly urged him to keep his pledge and not boot an opportunity to be a "great" Governor.

The future of New Jersey's highest-ranking Republican may indeed be cut short in this election year if he does not accomplish some quick image repair here.

Here's what the three highest-ranking Republicans said after Bill Clinton's victory.