Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 3, 1993 TAG: 9311030428
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Brian Kelley
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
8 of 17 precincts reporting.
Shuler (D) 2 757 57 percent) Nick Rush (R) 2 071 (43 percent)
Voters said hometown ties and issues, not attack ads, helped them make their minds up in the 12th District House race.
The election to succeed House veteran Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg, was still too close to call by 9:30 p.m. Tuesday even though Democratic candidate Jim Shuler had taken an early lead over his opponent, Republican Nick Rush.
In interviews earlier in the day at Christiansburg and Blacksburg precincts, voters cited Rush's earnestness as his major attribute; Shuler's was his reasoned approach to politics.
Many voters also cited a personal connection to one candidate or the other: Shuler, 49, through his 20-year Blacksburg veterinary practice; Rush, 25, through his days growing up in Christiansburg.
Voters Jim and Vera Keeble liked Shuler's ideas. "He seemed to have a reasonable approach to our problems, not so much cliches," Vera Keeble said.
But several Christiansburg voters said they favored Rush because he seemed closer to the people.
"He's down to earth," said Richard Aldridge. "His appeal is a common appeal."
by CNB