THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 4, 1994 TAG: 9411040733
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
In his bid to unseat Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, Republican Tom Ward knows he's the underdog. But he believes his stand on the issues can carry him to victory.
``The problems in this district and the skills Tom Ward has are a perfect match,'' Ward said recently. ``This is the district I can help.''
Some voters, however, might not even realize Scott faces opposition in Tuesday's election. The 3rd District campaign has featured no debates, few joint appearances by the candidates and a small number of radio spots.
``The reason the race seems quiet is because the Senate race has dominated the media,'' said Ward, an economic development consultant from Newport News.
Scott, a Newport News native, defeated Republican Daniel Jenkins in 1992 with 75 percent of the vote to become the first black candidate since Reconstruction elected to Congress from Virginia.
His victory came in a redrawn 3rd District that takes in portions of 18 cities and counties from Hampton Roads to Richmond. The district includes parts of the Peninsula, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Petersburg, and Essex and Surry counties.
In the past two years, Scott, a former state senator, has maintained high visibility and popularity in the district, which is more than 60 percent black.
But Ward, a 61-year-old political newcomer, thinks Scott's hold on the district is loosening.
``The 3rd District was created as a safe Democratic seat,'' Ward said. ``But it's not going to be a safe seat anymore because I'm going to win.''
Ward, a former director of development for Newport News, is the founder and president of Isaiah One, an economic development firm.
He said he has worked in the field for 30 years and has created more than 12,000 jobs.
And jobs, he said, are the top priority for the 3rd District, the poorest of Virginia's 11 congressional districts and the one with the highest crime rate.
Ward supports congressional term limits, a presidential line-item veto and a balanced-budget amendment.
Scott, who opposes all of those ideas, emphasizes responsible budgeting. ``We have to make tough choices to bring the budget under control,'' he said. ``You can't have budgeting if you're promising tax cuts.''
Health care, welfare reform, education and crime prevention top Scott's legislative agenda.
Ward has been running a smaller campaign than Scott. His wife, Kristine, is his campaign manager. By the last week of October, he had raised $68,000.
He said he decided to run because important issues in the 3rd District were being ignored.
``Mr. Scott is out of touch with the district,'' he said.
``He's unaware of problems in the district.''
But Scott, 49, said he has pushed for legislation that will directly benefit his constituents.
``We need a representative who can be effective in fighting base closing, funding for aircraft carriers and fighting for the quality of life for average Virginians,'' Scott said.
Ward said that the issues he has focused on should allow him to attract broad support in the black-majority district. ILLUSTRATION: FILE COLOR PHOTO
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
The incumbent, a Democrat, is a 49-year-old former state senator and
Newport News native.
Color photo
MARTIN SMITH RODDEN/Staff
THOMAS E. WARD
The Republican challenger, a newcomer to politics, is a 61-year-old
economic development consultant from Newport News.
Graphic
VOTER INFORMATION
Voters in Norfolk and Portsmouth who are unsure whether they live in
the 3rd Congressional District - the sprawling district includes
portions of both cities - should call their voter registrar,
preferably before Election Day. In Portsmouth, call 393-8644. In
Norfolk, call 441-2528.
Map
STAFF
KEYWORDS: CONGRESSIONAL RACE 3RD DISTRICT CANDIDATES by CNB