Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 8, 1995 TAG: 9511080036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Newman defeated Amherst schoolteacher Barbara Coleman, a candidate with no previous political experience who was recruited by the Democrats at the 11th hour to run against Newman.
Newman praised the civil tone of their campaign.
"It was a very clean campaign," he said. "She is a kind and decent woman and for that reason, I think it was one of the cleanest campaigns we've seen."
Already a career politician at 30, Newman has held elected office since his surprise victory in a race for Lynchburg City Council when he was 23. He has served two terms in the House of Delegates.
He's been the youngest delegate in the General Assembly and said he'll be used to it in the Senate.
Bolstered by a strong fundamental and conservative Christian base in Lynchburg, Newman easily took the seat that encompasses the Hill City, Amherst County, Bedford and Bedford County.
"It's a wonderful area. It votes a lot like I do," he said. "We surely do appreciate the trust of Central Virginia."
A loyal foot soldier for Gov. George Allen, Newman is staunchly anti-abortion, pro-business and supports Allen's prison-building campaign.
With a teacher as a candidate, education was a strong theme in the race for the 23rd District seat. Newman says he supports higher education standards for Virginia students.
"We've been a pro-family, pro-jobs legislator for years," he said. "That's the kind of state Senate we plan to be."
He looks forward to the four-year term of a senator.
"Running for re-election has been a real hindrance" to building up his direct mail business, he said, so not having to mount a campaign every other year will be a relief.
As Newman celebrated at a Lynchburg victory party, it wasn't clear yet whether Republicans had won enough seats to gain a majority in the Senate. If they win control, Newman will enjoy being part of the majority party. If they don't, "we'll plug through."
Coleman could not be reached for comment.
Keywords:
ELECTION
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.