ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
The Virginia Independent Party was organized by leaders of Ross Perot's 1992 presidential campaign in Virginia. The party's leaders "nominated" independent Marshall Coleman during the 1994 Senate race. Because Coleman won more than 10 percent of the vote, the VIP met the state's requirement for being legally recognized as a political party - which means its candidates are now guaranteed a spot on the ballot this fall without having to mount a time-consuming petition drive.
Since the VIP was formed, Perot has started the Reform Party and the VIP has effectively become its Virginia branch, although the two are still legally separate. However, the VIP voted Saturday to complete the merger by adding "Reform Party" to its name - provided that doesn't jeopardize its legal standing with the State Board of Elections.
The VIP has nominated three candidates for Congress - Blacksburg engineer Tom Roberts in the 9th District, Pittsylvania County teacher Gary Thomas in the 5th District, and Fairfax County airline pilot Ward Edmonds in the 8th District.
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