
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990                   TAG: 9004120673
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: ROB EURE POLITICAL WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

WARNER SHOO-IN FOR RE-ELECTION/ GOP SENATOR GETS STRONG BACKING

John Warner has collected what his campaign aides are saying is a "record number" of signatures endorsing him for a third term in the U.S. Senate.

The successful petition drive means Warner will receive the Republican nomination without a hitch, or even a formal action from the state party.

Moreover, since Democrats are not fielding a candidate to oppose Warner, his re-election now becomes a virtual certainty.

Warner scheduled a news conference in Richmond this afternoon to announce that he had collected more than the 14,000 signatures needed to have his name placed on the ballot in November.

"I think we've hit all our goals," Warner campaign Chairwoman Mary Vaughan Gibson said Wednesday.

Vaughan said the campaign was still receiving petitions signed and notarized by supporters at a rate of thousands a day. "We're still counting," she said.

Warner is saving the total for his news conference today, but several Republicans said Wednesday that he has more than he needs to qualify.

Several weeks ago, some Republican leaders were concerned that the drive might fail before the deadline on Friday.

Gibson said she began calling Republicans and Warner sent a mailing to Republicans statewide asking for their help and mentioning that at least one person has filed with the Democratic Party as a candidate.

Nancy Spannaus, a follower of political extremist Lyndon LaRouche, is working for the Democratic nomination, but party leaders have vowed not to allow her to carry their banner this fall.

by CNB