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

DATE: FRIDAY, October 20, 1995                   TAG: 9510200029
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

OLINGER HAS BIGGEST CAMPAIGN WAR CHEST

Democratic sheriff's nominee Jerry Olinger had at least four times as much money as his three opponents to spend in the final five weeks of campaigning, according to campaign disclosure forms for September filed with the county registrar's office.

Olinger had $4,583 left at the end of September. In all, he has raised $3,158 in contributions and spent $3,003. He also received a $6,635 loan earlier in the campaign.

Olinger's money far exceeds amounts available to the other three candidates. Doug Marrs, the Republican nominee, reported having $1,069 left at the end of September. But Marrs has raised more overall and spent more overall than Olinger. Marrs reports contributions of $4,749 and spending of $6,046. He and his wife lent the campaign $2,365.

Independent candidate Garnett Adkins reported $344 on hand at the end of September. In all, he raised $2,185 in donations, spent $2,841, and lent his campaign $1,000.

O.P. Ramsey, the other independent sheriff's candidate, had $316 available Sept. 30. In all, he raised $1,265 and spent $6,248. He and his wife loaned the campaign nearly $5,300.

Most of the candidates appear to be hoarding their money for the final weeks of the campaign. Olinger reported spending $2,000 in September, but other candidates were more frugal. Marrs spent only $72 in September, Adkins spent $385, and Ramsey spent $213.

In the race for commonwealth's attorney, incumbent Phil Keith had $2,466 on hand Sept. 30. Keith has declined donations, opting to pay for his re-election bid out of his pocket. He lent his campaign $1,500 in September. In all, he has lent and donated $14,000 to his coffers, and spent $11,534. Keith spent $2,007 in September and had $1,073 in unpaid bills.

Challenger Joey Showalter had $2,239 on hand at the end of September. In all, he's raised $10,141 and spent $7,902.

He raised $2,700 in September from more than 40 donors. He spent $2,800 during the same period.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB