Romero has been endorsed by ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now and the Service International Employees Union, according to Howard.

Leader of the Pack

Two of the three leading campaigns have said that Bynoe, a long-time civil rights leader in Roxbury and the state, appears to be the leading the race.

Bynoe said he supports economic development, but wants to prevent the kind of development that may harm local residents. He said he would encourage "new companies coming in to really make an effort to find local people" and to place them at all levels of employment.

All three leaders in the race cited the need for innovative approaches to the area's many social problems, but listed separate approaches to financing them.

Bynoe, who serves as general counsel to the National Business League, emphasized the need for private funding. "Federal, state and local funds are going to be very limited," he said. "Looking for them is fine," but finding them is going to be difficult, he added.

Government Dependency Okay

Fox said she would rely on government assistance for part of her program. "It's unrealistic to think that there won't be any federal money needed," she said.

"When I'm elected, I intend to sponsor a full-employment bill for people in district seven," she added. She declined to specify what she would include in the bill.

Romero, the only candidate who has held public office, said government funds would be difficult to come by. Instead, she said she intends to introduce legislation which would encourage high-tech industry to come to Roxbury and to train employees from the area.