GOP GOVERNOR'S RACE BEGINS FOR 3

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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 7, 1993                   TAG: 9301070261
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium
GOP GOVERNOR'S RACE BEGINS FOR 3
The three Republican gubernatorial candidates found little to disagree about Wednesday as they made their first joint appearance of the campaign.
In brief, back-to-back speeches to a Chesterfield County business group, former Rep. George Allen, Del. Clinton Miller and Earle Williams all promised to make economic development a cornerstone of their administrations.
The three Republicans competing for the party's nod to run against Attorney General Mary Sue Terry, the probable Democratic nominee, all charged that Virginia's business climate has suffered under Gov. Douglas Wilder.
Williams, retired president of BDM Inc., a defense and technology firm in Fairfax County, said Wilder damaged recruitment of industry by "gutting" the state's advertising budget in a round of recession-driven cuts.
Allen, seen as the early frontrunner in the race, promised to promote tourism, veto any increase in sales or income taxes and push for legislation to require a business-impact statement to accompany any new business regulation.
Miller said he believes a stable and consistent tax policy is the best device the state can use to attract industry.
Williams argues that his experience as head of a growing firm makes him best qualified to guide Virginia's growth. Allen, who represented the Charlottesville area in the General Assembly before going to Congress in 1991, and Miller, a senior member of the legislature from Shenandoah County, both claim better understanding of state government's role in business recruitment.
All three said they believe in balancing environmental preservation with encouragement of new businesses and the development of job opportunities.
"We can have preservation of our environment and still have reasonable business growth," Miller said.
Between now and March, when Republicans begin electing delegates to the June convention where their nominee will be chosen, the three candidates will make some joint appearances and perhaps engage in a few debates.
The first of those may be Monday night near Staunton. Allen has been reluctant to agree to a debate format, but said Wednesday morning he expects to be on hand for the event, which will feature questions from the audience and a panel of journalists.
Keywords:
POLITICS

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB