Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 20, 1995 TAG: 9510200044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The list of supporters reads like a who's who of Republican stalwarts. It includes many former GOP officeholders and candidates, as well as area doctors, lawyers, developers and retail operators.
"These Roanoke Valley business people and entrepreneurs are supporting my candidacy fully," the freshman senator said at a lunchtime campaign appearance on Market Street in downtown Roanoke.
"From voting to cut government red tape and regulations, to opposing tax increases, to fighting for legal reform that protects small businesses from huge lawsuits, I've consistently supported fiscally conservative policies."
During his speech, Bell claimed partial credit for the General Assembly's funding a business incubator in Roanoke and for helping lead an effort to allow cities to expand low-tax business enterprise zones.
As a result of his efforts on that, City Council on Monday voted to apply for a second enterprise zone in Roanoke, he said.
Bell also said he worked with Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, on bringing Interstate 73 through Roanoke. "As a result, the Virginia Department of Transportation recommended the route through our valley," he said.
He also took a jab at his Democratic opponent, Roanoke Vice Mayor John Edwards, for seeking campaign support from unions. Edwards' largest contributor, with $6,500 in donations to his campaign, is the AFL-CIO.
"Now when the statewide AFL-CIO signs on with John Edwards in such a big way, you have to wonder exactly what John Edwards has promised them," said Bell, who has raised almost three times that amount from area doctors and other health interests.
"I'm proud to accept the support from many thousands or working men and women" the AFL-CIO represents, Edwards said. "And I have a broad base of support from many business leaders - bankers, life underwriters and others. He's just continuing to engage in negative campaigning. This is absurd."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB