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

DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992                   TAG: 9202230108
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

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WARNER WILL DECIDE SOON

Apparently stung by suggestions he is stymying fellow Republicans' chances to launch gubernatorial campaigns, Sen. John Warner has told associates he will decide soon whether to enter the race himself.

Warner, who has been weighing a run for Virginia governor in 1993, planned to make no final announcement until after the presidential election in November.

Several high-ranking Republicans said Friday that Warner has accelerated his schedule for making a final determination.

Warner declined to comment Friday.

GOP leaders and other potential candidates have complained that widespread speculation about Warner has handicapped efforts by other potential candidates.

"My sense is that he's realized it makes sense to resolve this, and there will be an announcement one way or the other relatively soon," said a senior Republican official who asked not to be identified.

"If Warner wants to run, he has the inside track," Steve Haner, director of the Joint Republican Caucus, said Saturday.

Haner said he has been asked by the caucus to tell Warner in a letter that a November decision would work against other candidates.

Keywords:
POLITICS

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