ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996             TAG: 9610280059
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-3  EDITION: METRO 

IN THE NATION

Gingrich won't be minority leader

CHEROKEE, Ga - Speaker Newt Gingrich has no plans to run for Republican leader next year if the Democrats retake control of the House, but he does intend to stick around in Congress.

``I think I'd be a relatively effective back bencher,'' he said with a smile Friday.

After traveling to an estimated 150 congressional districts on behalf of GOP congressional candidates, Gingrich said, ``I'm not worried'' about Democrats taking control. In fact, he predicted GOP gains in the House.

- Associated Press

Briefly

* The federal government's Medicaid costs increased by just 3 percent in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, a much lower growth rate than in recent years, federal figures show.

*Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum of Kansas confirmed Friday that she will marry former Tennessee Sen. Howard Baker.

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