THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240527
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
U.S. Senate candidate L. Douglas Wilder suggested Tuesday that a political payback was the reason Bishop L.E. Willis encouraged a statewide coalition of black churches to endorse Wilder's archrival, U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb.
In an interview, Wilder said that Willis was indebted to Robb for the senator's role in securing the appointment of U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson, who last December became the first black federal jurist to serve in Norfolk.
Willis denied that his decision to back Robb - announced last Saturday - had anything to do with Jackson's appointment.
``There was never any discussion between Chuck and myself about his support for a black federal judge,'' Willis said an interview from his car phone. ``I haven't asked him for anything and he hasn't promised me anything - and I'd say that before Jesus Christ.''
Wilder suffered a setback last weekend when Robb won the endorsement of the Third Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, a group of 61 black congregations from Norfolk to Roanoke. Wilder, the nation's first black elected governor, has made support among African Americans the cornerstone of his independent bid for the Senate.
He bristled Tuesday when a television reporter suggested that Robb has the backing of black ministers.
``Some, few ministers,'' Wilder said during an hourlong campaign special on WVEC-TV in Norfolk.
Earlier in the day, Wilder said he considered Willis a friend, and noted that Willis has said the Robb endorsement was in no way an anti-Wilder statement.
Later, when pressed to explain why Willis would support Robb, Wilder said the church leader was supporting Robb because of the Jackson appointment.
Willis, an influential figure in Democratic circles who has backed both Robb and Wilder in the past, said his decision was a matter of sticking with the incumbent.
``I've been supporting Chuck for a while,'' Willis said. ``I don't see any reason for not supporting him now. This is based on no promises. I just think it would be best for the commonwealth.''
A Robb campaign spokesman said it was ``ludicrous'' to suggest that the senator would trade a judicial appointment for a political endorsement. ``If you believe that,'' Bert Rohrer said, ``I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you.''
During the WVEC campaign special, Wilder and fellow independent candidate J. Marshall Coleman agreed on a variety of issues, from opposition to federal legislation banning semiautomatic weapons to support for delaying action on health care reform.
The two major-party candidates - Robb and Republican Oliver L. North - declined invitations to participate in the WVEC forum. Robb was tending to senatorial duties, while North had a conflicting event in Smithfield. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Carol Long, director of the National Right to Life political action
committee, answers questions after announcing her group's
endorsement of Oliver North, left.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT by CNB