South Africa's Desire Wilson was the next woman to enter a race in 1980, and it has been almost 20 years since Giovanna Amati drove for Brabham in 1992, but recently there have been reports claiming that Renault will sign Maria de Villota as the team's third driver.

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Booker would enter the race as a strong favorite to keep the seat in Democratic hands, though Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone may also be mulling a run.

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But with a July 11 deadline to submit petitions to enter the race for the Sept. 10 primary, it could be tough to put together a campaign and fundraising apparatus.

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Judd's decision not to enter the race leaves the Democratic Party in search of a candidate.

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In recent weeks, Gore has been the target of a campaign to persuade him to enter the 2008 presidential race.

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Mrs Bachmann, a darling of tea-party activists, seems likely to enter the race.

ECONOMIST: The Republican nomination

Enter Mr O'Malley, a fresh-faced lawyer who sauntered into the race barely three weeks before the filing deadline.

ECONOMIST: Baltimore��s election

Enter Thomas Voeckler who was an inspiration, continually defying the odds as race leader for a time.

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Commentator Tucker Carlson told a group of state legislators in early August that he was convinced that Christie would enter the race in October or November.

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