BOSTON--Victories by a deceased governor and the current first lady paced the Democratic drive to make significant gains in the Senate, but Democrats fell short of retaking either house of Congress.

Running virtually unopposed, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54-'56 (D-Mass.) won his reelection battle with ease, but fellow Democratic candidates faced more difficult challenges.

In perhaps the most remarkable victory of the evening, Missouri's recently deceased Democratic Governor Mel Carnahan defeated Republican incumbent John Ashcroft in a very close race. The new Democratic governor of the state is likely to appoint Carnahan's wife Jean to serve in his place.

Democrats also picked up a seat in Delaware, when Thomas Carper, the state's popular governor, defeated five-term incumbent William Roth.

And in New York, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic candidate, preserved the seat for her party by defeating Republican Rick A. Lazio after a bruising campaign.

The GOP won an important victory in Virginia, when former governor George Allen unseated Democratic incumbent Chuck Robb. Both candidates spent millions campaigning, as Republicans felt Robb was the most vulnerable Democrat up for reelection.

Overall, Democrats increased their previous 46-person voting bloc in the Senate by at least three seats, but not by enough seats to take control of the Senate.

One race, between Michigan Republican Sen. Spencer Abraham and Democratic challenger Debbie Stabenow, was too close to call at press time, but the Democratic total will not exceed 50 seats.