Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510250041
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISE OLSEN AND DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Candidates across Virginia have collected more than $14 million - 37 percent more than was spent in 1991 campaigns, the last time all 140 assembly seats were up for grabs.
The totals are based on an analysis by The Roanoke Times and its sister paper in Norfolk, The Virginian-Pilot, of campaign finance reports that cover fund raising and spending through September.
The figures will continue to escalate as candidates head for the final stretch in legislative elections where - for the first time in modern history - Democratic control of the assembly is no longer unquestioned.
Virginia Republicans are closing the spending gap, with some GOP challengers poised to outspend entrenched Democratic incumbents.
Three of the most expensive races in the state are in the Roanoke Valley:
The contest between House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County and Republican challenger Trixie Averill ranks as the second-most expensive House race in the state, with $300,840 raised between them.
The campaign between Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, and another well-funded GOP challenger, Newell Falkinburg, is the fourth-most expensive House race in the state. They've raised $259,243 between them - not counting the funds they've lent their campaigns, which would push the spending close to the $300,000 mark.
State Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, and Democratic challenger John Edwards also are engaged in a big-dollar contest. They've raised a total of $252,464, which makes their campaign the seventh-most expensive Senate race in the state.
Both parties are expected to target last-minute contributions to incumbents who need an extra measure of protection and challengers who have a chance to win.
Republican organizations had $1 million in the bank at the end of September, compared to Democratic groups with $584,000 on hand. The GOP led thanks in part to $150,000 from the Republican National Committee and $25,000 from International Family Entertainment, a company led by televangelist Pat Robertson of Virginia Beach.
At this stage, campaign finance reports are a highly perishable commodity. The latest document provided a snapshot of finances at the close of business on Sept. 30.
Since then, the dynamics of some campaigns have changed dramatically.
State Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, was shown holding a comfortable fund-raising advantage in his bid for a sixth term.
Yet, Marye is being outspent by Republican challenger Pat Cupp of Blacksburg.
Cupp hauled in more than $50,000 from the Joint Republican Legislative Caucus earlier this month to buy commercials on two Roanoke-based television stations.
The GOP caucus also gave Cupp an undetermined amount of cash to mount a radio blitz, and the Republican Party of Virginia underwrote two districtwide mailings that arrived in mailboxes last weekend.
"We're going to be outspent, there's no question about it," said Ann Hess, Marye's campaign manager. "We'll be on TV, but it's certainly not in the level of $20,000 per station."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB