THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 21, 1994 TAG: 9406210377
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940621 LENGTH: CAMDEN
``People are frustrated by the lack of leadership in Congress and in the Clinton administration,'' Jones Jr. told greeters at Camden County Courthouse. ``I'm encouraged by the support - and money - that's coming in.
{REST} ``I've never been so hopeful for the future.''
Jones Jr. left the Democratic Party in 1992 after leaders failed to support him as a candidate to serve his father's remaining term. Young Jones previously served as a Pitt County Democrat for 10 years in the N.C. legislature.
Jones Jr. and Lancaster, both 51, are wooing voters in the old 1st Congressional District where Jones' father ruled the Democratic roost until his death in 1992. Lancaster plans an Elizabeth City waterfront fund-raiser on Saturday.
Lancaster's current new 3rd District absorbed thousands of former followers of the late Jones Sr., when blocs of 1st District voters were transferred to the 3rd District in the 1992 Congressional redistricting by the N.C. General Assembly.
At the same time, a new 1st Congressional District elected U.S. Rep. Eva M. Clayton, D-Warrenton, the first woman and the first black to go to Congress from N.C. in this century.
``You'd be surprised at how many of my father's old friends who are now in the 3rd District have told me they'll support me,'' said the younger Jones during his Monday campaign swing through the Albemarle.
``And voters in this area will be decisive,'' said Jones at the white-columned portico of the Camden Courthouse.
Jones was greeted by supporters when he arrived at Camden County Courthouse. He also was scheduled to meet with members of the Pasquotank County Medical Society at Albemarle Hospital.
Pasquotank is one of the northeastern counties that is now divided between the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts. Both the new 1st and 3rd election enclaves stretch in convoluted and intermeshed voter blocs from the Virginia state line to near the South Carolina border.
The new 3rd District includes Dare and Currituck counties and most of the Outer Banks. An influx of conservative retirees to new residential communities in both counties has strengthened the Republican electorate and the younger Jones' expectations for November.
Money will be crucial in the present Congressional campaign, said Jones, estimating that it will cost each candidate at least $350,000.
Figures at the N.C. Board of Elections in Raleigh this week showed that as of April 14, Lancaster had $234,199.76 and had spent $145,562.60. Jones reported receiving $54,577.25 and spending $26,974.11.
{KEYWORDS} CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE
by CNB