Lt. Governor Evelyn Murphy, a Democratic frontrunner with former attorney general Francis X. Bellotti, is seen as the candidate closest to Dukakis, whom Democrats and Republicans alike have blamed for the state's fiscal situation.

THE role that the state is likely to play in regulating abortions is an issue sure to work its way into campaign rhetoric.

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling this summer in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services and several decisions pending this fall are expected to give the states more power to limit abortions.

Both Bellotti and Flood have said they are anti-abortion, while William F. Weld '66, a former U.S. Attorney and a Republican frontrunner with Pierce, is pro-choice.

But Flood says that as governor, his personal outlook would have little effect on public policy. He says the Massachusetts Constitution is written in such a way that it would require an amendment approved by referendum to restrict abortion.

"As long as the majority of people disagree with my opinion, the governor and legislature have little to do with it," Flood says.

Pierce, an anti-abortion candidate, says he has not yet formed a position on how his opinions would affect public policy, but says he will answer that issue during the campaign.

"The worst thing anybody could do in the abortion issue is to waffle," he says.

Abortion will be especially important in races for state seats from Cambridge, says Sandra M. Graham, a former state representative and retiring Cambridge City Councillor.

"THERE'S a lot of angry women in Cambridge," she says.

Graham says since there are more women than men in Cambridge and Massachusetts and because they tend to have better voting records than their male counterparts, abortion will be the most important political issue in Cambridge.

Cambridge Democrats, however, do not have to worry about Republican challengers in races for the state Senate or House. As Graham puts it, "In Cambridge, there are no Republicans."

But the governor's race will prove interesting for Cambridge voters, as Weld, a Cambridge native son, makes his bid for the corner office.

"You can't say Weld represents a slice of Cambridge life," says Sen. Michael J. Barrett '70 (D-Cambridge). However, Barrett adds, "The city of Cambridge is going to get to know him very well."

Barrett says if Weld is elected governor, Cambridge voters will be curious to watch him work with Charles F. Flaherty (D-Cambridge), who will probably replace Keverian as House speaker next year.