THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411030639
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
In the 3rd District race, Democratic incumbent Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott hopes the success he had in 1992's election will continue this year as he faces Thomas Ward for the congressional seat.
Scott, 49, two years ago defeated challenger Daniel Jenkins with 79 percent of the vote. He is also heavily favored to win this year.
(In Norfolk's 22 precincts Scott defeated Jenkins 19,072 to 2,590.)
``The polls reflect our campaign is going well,'' Scott said in an interview.
Scott, formerly a Newport News lawyer, served in the General Assembly for 15 years before his election into the House of Representatives in 1992. He was the first black elected to Congress from Virginia since Reconstruction.
Though the congressional races have been overshadowed by the Senate battles, Scott said voters will indicate their support for him on Tuesday.
Scott's supporters say the congressman's recognition and credibility in the community has helped him maintain strong support in the 3rd District.
``I feel I'm getting my message out and that's my purpose,'' he said.
The 3rd District, which randomly spans from Norfolk to Richmond, was formed in 1992, just prior to Scott's victory. The district also runs from Essex County to Portsmouth, and includes parts of Petersburg and Henrico County, among other areas.
Scott has carved out a strong hold on the state's only black-majority district, which was designed to give blacks an equal opportunity at an elected office.
However challenger Tom Ward, an economic developer from Newport News, does not think the 3rd District's majority black/Democratic make-up will decrease his chances of a victory on Tuesday. The principal points on his platform - secure jobs, lower crime rates, good housing - are universal, he said.
``There are elements that join the races (such as) the fear of crime and wanting to so something to put the crooks away,'' Ward said in an interview. ``People relate to this regardless of skin color.''
Ward, 61, has never held an elected office, but he said his more than 30-year involvement with the business and politics of economic development more than prepare him for the post.
He was Chief of Staff for the mayor, Anthony A. Henninger, of Syracuse, N.Y., in 1958. He also served as the first Legislative Director of Housing and Urban Development under Nelson Rockefeller and, in 1979, began serving as development director for Newport News.
Currently Ward is the president for Isaiah One, an economic development company he founded in 1991. ``Isaiah was the prophet of vision, hope and justice, (which is) what I want to bring to the people of the 3rd District when I'm in Congress.''
Ward and Scott differ on many traditional Democrat-Republican issues. Ward supports congressional term limits, the presidential line-item veto and voluntary school prayer, all of which Scott has opposed. Scott has supported the ban on production and sale of assault-style weapons.
In Congress Scott has rallied for crime prevention and decreasing the effects of military downsizing. Scott said he also wants to focus next on health care, welfare reform, education and balancing the budget.
``We need a representative who can be effective in fighting base closings, funding for aircraft carriers and fighting for the quality of life for average Virginians,'' Scott said. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Photos
THOMAS E. ``TOM'' WARD
Age: 61
Residence: Newport News
Party affiliation: Republican
Education: Syracuse University; University of North Carolina
Graduate School
Occupation: Economic developer
Campaign sound bite: ``Crusade For Opportunity''
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
Age: 47
Residence: Newport News
Party affiliation: Democrat
Education: Harvard, law degree from Boston College
Occupation: Congressman, background as attorney
Campaign sound bite: ``Scott for Congress''
KEYWORDS: HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE 3RD DISTRICT CANDIDATES by CNB