Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In an interview, Wilder said Willis was indebted to Robb for the senator's role in securing the appointment of U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson, who last December became the first black federal jurist to serve in Norfolk.
Willis denied that his decision to back Robb - announced Saturday - had anything to do with Jackson's appointment.
``There was never any discussion between Chuck and myself about his support for a black federal judge,'' Willis said an interview from his car phone. ``I haven't asked him for anything, and he hasn't promised me anything - and I'd say that before Jesus Christ.''
Wilder, a lifelong Democrat who has made black support the cornerstone of his independent bid for the Senate, suffered a setback last weekend when Robb won the endorsement of the Third Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, a group of 61 black congregations from Norfolk to Roanoke.
Campaigning in Norfolk on Tuesday, Wilder stuck a conciliatory tone toward Willis during a radio interview. Wilder said he considered Willis a friend, and noted that Willis has said the Robb endorsement was in no way an anti-Wilder statement.
Later, when pressed to explain why Willis would support Robb, Wilder said the church leader was repaying Robb for the Jackson appointment.
Willis, who has backed both Robb and Wilder in the past, said his decision was a matter of sticking with the incumbent.
``I've been supporting Chuck for a while,'' Willis said. ``I don't see any reason for not supporting him now. This is based on no promises. I just think it would be best for the commonwealth.''
A Robb campaign spokesman said it was ludicrous to suggest that the Robb would trade a judicial appointment for a political endorsement.
In other Senate campaign news, Republican Oliver North won endorsements from two anti-abortion groups: the National Right to Life Committee, and the Virginia Society for Human Life.
``Oliver North is the only candidate among the four contenders who shows any concern whatsoever for the life of the unborn child,'' Brenda Fastabend, chairwoman of the VSHL's political action committee, said at a Richmond news conference.
North opposes abortion except when rape or incest is involved or when a pregnancy endangers the mother's life. Robb and Wilder have long histories of supporting abortion rights. Independent candidate Marshall Coleman also supports abortion rights this year. He opposed the procedure when he ran for governor in 1989.
Staff writer Warren Fiske and Kerry Dougherty of the Landmark News Service contributed to this report.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB