ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 21, 1996 TAG: 9612230064
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
Virgil Goode supported Roscoe Reynolds' bid for the state Senate, but when a campaign ad featuring a letter from Goode appeared, there were many who thought it didn't sound like the Franklin County legislator.
It wasn't, Goode said.
The ad - paid for by Reynolds' campaign - ran in the Dec. 13 edition of the Franklin News-Post. Under a picture of Reynolds and his family was a strong letter endorsing the candidate with Goode's name at the bottom.
"Roscoe Reynolds will stand up for the families, farms and schools of Franklin County. The person I want to represent me and my family in the Virginia Senate is Roscoe Reynolds," part of the ad reads.
Many in Franklin County took notice of the powerful language in the ad and believe it helped Reynolds get some votes in Goode's home county.
But Goode said that although he does support Reynolds, his Democratic partymate, he didn't write the letter.
Goode said he called the Reynolds campaign and told them he didn't appreciate his name being used under something he didn't authorize.
He took out his own ad in the News-Post Friday that explains the situation.
Goode wrote in his ad: "I immediately called the Reynolds headquarters and talked with campaign manager Carolyn Beale. She accepted full responsibility for the `Dear Friend' letter and apologized for the oversight and error in failing to consult me before running a letter over my name. Delegate Reynolds also expressed personal regret over this action."
The Reynolds campaign couldn't be reached for comment.
The popular Goode, who was elected to Congress last month, played an important role in the campaign for his vacant state Senate seat. Reynolds said Goode's endorsement was a key to his win over Republican Del. Allen Dudley of Rocky Mount.
Dudley said Friday: "I saw the ad, but I didn't place a whole lot of emphasis on it. It's just one of those things."
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS GENERAL ASSEMBLYby CNB