Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 20, 1993 TAG: 9301200155
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: BY ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
WILLIAMS PUTS $1.1 MILLION INTO HIS CAMPAIGN COFFERS
Earle Williams of McLean, a millionaire retired defense contractor, has put $1.1 million of his own money into his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor, dwarfing both his GOP rivals, according to financial reports released Tuesday.Aides to former Rep. George Allen of Charlottesville, the apparent Republican front-runner, were quick to charge Williams with trying to buy the nomination. The Williams camp asserted that Allen is running scared.
And a political scientist, Emory and Henry College President Thomas Morris, said the big money should bolster arguments in the General Assembly for limits on campaign contributions. A commission appointed by Gov. Douglas Wilder has recommended a $5,000 limit on individual and corporate donations to statewide candidates.
"It's not a question of whether Virginia needs campaign reform, but when," Morris said. "People forget that four years ago, candidates were getting $100,000 and $200,000 contributions. I think the public finds that unseemly."
Williams has raised $265,000, less than Allen's $393,000. But with his personal campaign loan, Williams has far outspent Allen. He reported expenses of $1.2 million, compared to Allen's $83,750. The third Republican in the race, Del. Clinton Miller of Shenandoah, has raised $61,700 and spent $63,200. His campaign has borrowed $5,500.
Williams, who already has aired more than $100,000 in television advertising, is setting a pace expected in a primary election contest, even though the Republicans will choose their candidates at a Richmond convention in June.
Attorney General Mary Sue Terry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, released a report Friday showing she has raised $2.1 million so far and spent about $900,000. Terry's biggest financial boost came from a December reception and dinner that netted her campaign $700,000.
Mike Thomas, Allen's campaign manager, said Williams is repeating a mistake independent Ross Perot made in last year's presidential campaign. "He thought that if he threw around a few million dollars he could buy the support of the voters," Thomas said. "It didn't work for Perot and it isn't going to work for Williams."
Williams' loans to his campaign paid for some expensive media advertising in December, including $100,000 in television time and another $59,000 for the production of commercials plus production and mailing of a 12-minute video tape to 17,000 Republican activists.
Steve Haner, Williams' spokesman, said his candidate refrained from personal fund-raising in the fall to raise money for President Bush.
"Earle said from the beginning he was going to put in a lot of money up front to be sure the campaign got a good start," Haner said. "Sixty days ago, the Allen campaign said we didn't have a chance. Now, they're afraid. Imagine how it's scaring Mary Sue Terry."
Keywords:
POLITICS
Memo: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.