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

DATE: SATURDAY, September 16, 1995                   TAG: 9509180038
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Medium

NORTH ENTERING CAMPAIGN SCENE AS CO-HOST OF GOP FUND-RAISER

Failed U.S. Senate candidate Oliver North is teaming up with Richmond lawyer Richard Cullen as co-hosts of a fund-raising reception for Republican legislative candidates.

Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese will be the guest of honor at the $125-per-couple reception Tuesday in the home of Robert H. Patterson, senior partner in the law firm of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe.

``This is pretty much the launching of Ollie's activities in the fall elections,'' said Marc Short, a spokesman for North's political action committee, V-Pac. ``Several candidates have asked him to do fund-raising events.''

North expects to raise about $20,000 at the reception, Short said.

``Everybody is trying to help,'' said Cullen, a former U.S. Attorney and likely GOP candidate for state attorney general. ``This is a good indication that there is great unity behind Gov. [George] Allen's efforts to control the General Assembly.''

The money will be distributed to targeted General Assembly races in which Republicans have a good chance of success, Short said.

North became a national figure after being the central player in the Iran-Contra controversy. Cullen was a counsel to then-Sen. Paul Trible, who was a member of the Select Senate committee investigating Iran-Contra.

Since losing to Democratic Sen. Charles Robb last year, North has become a radio talk-show host.

Cullen and North will be the chief hosts of the reception, but a host committee of business and political leaders from the state will include Mike Farris, a Loudoun County lawyer who ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1993.

``Farris and North were rejected by the voters of Virginia, so it's surprising that they would be asked [to be hosts of fund-raising events],'' said Gail Nardi, spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB