ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 30, 1997 TAG: 9703310081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE THE ROANOKE TIMES
All the hopefuls for governor and lieutenant governor have taken some tobacco money. So have 96 of 140 state legislators.
While 22 states awaited the first-ever admission from a cigarette manufacturer that tobacco causes cancer, Virginia's attorney general was in New York for a $50,000 fund-raiser courtesy of tobacco giant Philip Morris.
That revelation fueled criticism last week that Jim Gilmore is too cozy with the cigarette conglomerates, and rekindled calls for him to step down from the attorney general post while he campaigns for governor.
As the state's top lawyer, Gilmore kept Virginia out of the lawsuits other states have filed against tobacco manufacturers to recover Medicaid money spent treating smokers. He has sided with the tobacco companies in opposing new federal tobacco regulations.
And since the start of last year, Gilmore has collected more than $86,000 in political contributions from tobacco workers, manufacturers, farmers and lobbyists.
Gilmore's relationship with cigarette manufacturers, coupled with his power to steer Virginia's position on tobacco-related litigation and legislation, raises unique questions about potential conflicts.
But little is unique about Gilmore being a Virginia politician who is happy to support tobacco interests - and to take their money.
Tobacco interests have generally been equal-opportunity givers in Virginia, according to a computer survey of campaign finance reports. The data were compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project at the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Public Policy.
All the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor have taken some tobacco-related money the last two years. So have 96 of Virginia's 140 state legislators.
And party affiliation seems to matter only slightly when tobacco companies decide which candidates to finance.
Gilmore, a Republican, led all recipients with $36,500 in tobacco money last year. When he flew to Philip Morris' New York headquarters March 19, he collected $50,000 more.
His likely Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, raised $11,700 in tobacco money, including $10,000 from Philip Morris.
Former Rep. L.F. Payne, the likely Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, collected $10,000 from Philip Morris in December. The company has offered to hold a reception for the former 5th District congressman later this year, and Payne's aides say he plans to accept.
Payne led all candidates for lieutenant governor in tobacco contributions with $23,250 last year. That's almost twice the total of Republican John Hager - a former executive for American Tobacco. And Payne, who as a congressman represented Virginia's main tobacco-growing counties, picked up another $10,000 from R.J. Reynolds in January.
In General Assembly races the last two years, Republicans got the most help from tobacco interests, receiving $108,000. Democrats pulled in $67,600.
"Tobacco saved Virginia at Jamestown, it saved Virginia after the Civil War, and it's a huge part of people's lives all over Virginia today," said Hager, who was American Tobacco's vice president for leaf and special projects. "I'm not going to hide from having worked in a legal and honorable business."
Gilmore flew to New York on Philip Morris' corporate jet the night before tobacco manufacturer Liggett publicly acknowledged that nicotine is addictive and that smoking causes cancer. The admission will bolster the states' lawsuits against larger, better-financed companies such as Philip Morris.
When Gilmore's trip was disclosed last week, his critics growled.
Beyer called the timing "bad judgment at best." Political commentators suggested such a strong, conspicuous alliance with cigarette companies is a blow to his campaign.
Others, like Democratic attorney general candidate Bill Dolan, called for Gilmore to erase any potential conflicts by resigning to run for governor - as some of his predecessors have done.
Said Dolan: "You can't be in that office with one hand full of legal briefs stating Virginia's position, and the other hand filled with money raised from the very people who will be affected by your decisions." |--| While other candidates criticize the appearance of it all, few differ significantly with Gilmore on tobacco-related issues.
Most of the statewide candidates agreed last week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not the best regulator for cigarettes. However, not all would have joined a Philip Morris lawsuit against the FDA, as Gilmore did.
Every candidate supports tight restrictions on minors' access to cigarettes, though some differ over whether the state or federal government can best ensure it.
But none of the candidates for statewide office said he thinks Virginia should join the 22 other states seeking a reimbursement from tobacco companies for Medicaid money spent on smoking-related illnesses.
And none could criticize Gilmore for taking Philip Morris' money.
Nearly every candidate for office in Virginia - Democrats and Republicans alike - has accepted some money from tobacco manufacturers, farmers or lobbyists to help finance their campaigns.
And there seems to be more to come.
The five candidates for attorney general didn't receive any tobacco money in 1996. But Republicans Mark Earley, Ken Stolle and Jerry Kilgore got $1,500 each from Philip Morris last week - even though they're running against each other. The fourth Republican, Gil Davis, had not received any, but his campaign is nearly all self-financed, with more than $500,000 from the candidate himself.
Kilgore, a former public safety secretary, is actively seeking tobacco-related support.
He mailed a letter to supporters in February that began "I was raised on a tobacco farm in Southwest Virginia. ... I know firsthand the positive impact tobacco has on Virginia's economy and our families."
Dolan, the Democrat, hasn't raised any tobacco money, but said he wouldn't turn it away. He wasn't specific about his views concerning the lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers, but said generally he considers tobacco use "an individual decision for adults to make."
"I think tobacco is going to be a significant issue in this campaign, and something that will come up repeatedly over the next four years," he said.
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Gilmore, Beyer. Graphic: Chart by RT:by CNBTobacco money in the governor's race. KEYWORDS: POLITICS MGR