ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Each rival for governor has raised at least $3million.
One of Virginia's most prominent Republicans and one of its most reclusive were among the biggest contributors to Jim Gilmore's gubernatorial campaign over the past few months.
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson gave Gilmore $50,000, while Roanoke investor Edward Via contributed another $50,000, according to campaign finance reports filed this week with the State Board of Elections.
The reports cover from mid-January through March.
Democrat Don Beyer continued to draw heavily from business interests in Northern Virginia, his home base. Among the lieutenant governor's biggest contributors was the America Online computer service, which gave him $25,000.
Both gubernatorial campaigns have raised more than $3million.
Via, in recent years, has been one of the Republican Party's biggest donors. He and his brother Peter made a splash in 1995 when they each made $210,000 in political contributions, most of that to GOP candidates for the General Assembly. Of that, most came from Edward Via; he gave $80,250 to unsuccessful legislative candidates Trixie Averill and Newell Falkinburg and $50,000 to Gov. George Allen's political action committee.
Last year, Edward Via gave $101,500 to Republican candidates and causes at the federal level - $90,000 to the Republican National State Elections Committee, $10,000 to the Republican National Committee, $1,000 to unsuccessful 5th District candidate George Landrith and $500 to Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke.
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS GOVERNORby CNB