As a state Senate and House seat go up for grabs in this fall's election, the candidates--both incumbents and challengers--are digging in their heels for what could be a tough political fight this summer.

Counting on voter exasperation with the political process, candidates say they plan to lead campaigns based more on personal integrity than on mudslinging.

Candidates say they see opportunities to affect crucial issues facing the Beacon Hill legislature, such as abortion policy and education reforms.

Two Republicans and two Democrats will challenge Michael LoPresti '70 for his seat in the State Senate.

Roberty Travaglini, a Boston city councillor, lost to LoPresti in a close 1988 race, with Cambridge casting the deciding votes against him. He sat out in 1990's election but is running this time because, he says, it's "immediately apparent that this campaign is winnable."

He cites increased campaign resources and voter animosity toward government as positive for his campaign.

Jackson Hall, former aide to Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves '72, left his post at City Hall to work on Travaglini's campaign.

He says the '88 campaign failed because Travaglini relied too much on voter apathy and didn't do enough one-on-one campaigning.

Travaglini did well in most areas, including East Boston, home to both Travaglini and LoPresti, but lost Cambridge because Travaglini's "progressive" stance wasn't clear, according to Hall.

"He's way ahead of where he was four years ago," says Hall.

The other Democratic candidate in the race, Michael Sullivan, an assistant attorney general, says he can bring greater visibility to the district.

He says the budget cuts implemented by Gov. William F. Weld '66 were appropriate in theory, but were misdirected.

"Resources have to be given to people in the front lines," he says, "not to offices on Beacon Hill."

Like Travaglini, says he "won't get embroiled in others' candidates," but will focus on his own abilities.

LoPresti's district includes Cambridge, Winthrop, Allston, the North End and areas of Beacon Hill and the Back Bay.