THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090340
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
U.S. Rep. Norman Sisisky thwarted the most vigorous challenge of his 12-year congressional career Tuesday, clobbering Republican challenger George Sweet.
The Petersburg Democrat topped his rookie opponent in the 4th Congressional District, receiving 61 percent of the votes cast.
``I think the people saw through the charges that I was a Clinton clone, that I was soft on defense,'' said Sisisky, described by aides as nervous throughout the day.
``I was always running scared,'' Sisisky continued. ``The electorate was kind of unsettled.''
In his acceptance speech at his campaign headquarters near Chesapeake Square Mall, Sisisky accused Sweet of running a negative campaign.
``I hope the people who are trying to fix things always outnumber the people who are trying to tear things down,'' he said.
Sisisky's victory probably surprised very few observers, considering a poll three months ago showing Sweet losing by 24 points. Earlier this week, the Republican acknowledged his victory would be ``the largest political upset in Virginia in many years.''
Even Sisisky's own staff admitted surprise, however, that Sweet, a Baptist minister with no political experience, was able to make the race a contest at all.
Sweet was considered an all-but-hopeless longshot when he announced his candidacy in April. Nonetheless, he impressed his opponent, raising more than $300,000 and attracting a dedicated following of moderates, disenchanted Democrats and young Republicans.
``I ran against a very entrenched incumbent, a very formidable candidate and a veteran of Congress,'' Sweet said. ``And I think it showed.''
Sweet was gathered with family, friends and aides in a Chesapeake hotel room when he learned of his defeat shortly after the polls closed. He and his family waited together for more than half an hour before driving to Greenbrier Country Club to address supporters.
``I just think it was his election, his year, and I congratulate him,'' Sweet said, before leaving to deliver his concession speech. ``I can say I did my best. I can honestly say I gave it everything. That's all I can ask for.''
Sweet said he could not yet consider whether to run against Sisisky in 1996. He said he was looking forward to returning full time to his Atlantic Shores Baptist Church.
With a strong - albeit small - core of early supporters, the rookie politician was able to set the campaign's agenda, blasting Sisisky for voting with Bill Clinton, casting party-line votes and helping enact the 1993 federal tax hike.
If Sweet's strategy failed at the polls, it did force Sisisky out from under the protective cover of incumbency. The veteran congressman, facing his first real challenge since defeating Rep. Bob Daniel in 1982, largely avoided the campaign fray until early October.
When he surfaced, however, he came ready to rumble. Sisisky aired what may have been the most biting advertisement of the campaign, characterizing Sweet as someone who said he would close veterans' hospitals and cancel Medicare and Medicaid spending. The ad forced Sweet to spend time and funds defending his position on health care.
Sweet had hoped to spend the waning days of the race battling Sisisky over his stance on national defense - a strategy Sweet spokesman Bill Samson called ``the last frontier.''
But Sisisky, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Democratic point man for approval of a new nuclear aircraft carrier, showed he is equally adept at building a political arsenal.
Former U.N. ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, former Reagan Navy Secretary John Lehman, former Joint Chiefs Chairman Thomas H. Moorer and former Marine Corps Gen. Robert H. Barrow signed letters of endorsement for Sisisky in the campaign's final weeks.
Still, aggressive campaigning was relatively new to Sisisky, who this year faced only the second Republican challenge of his Capitol Hill career. Hopewell Councilman Tony Zevgolis, the only other Republican to have contested Sisisky's House seat, raised just $50,000 in 1992 and lost by almost 80,000 votes. MEMO: Staff writer Christopher Dinsmore contributed to this story.
ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON/
Photo
Staff
U.S. Rep. Norman Sisisky waves to supporters after the announcement
that he beat Republican George Sweet for the 4th District seat.
Sisisky's staff said Sweet made a suprisingly good run.
Graphic
4TH DISTRICT
Photos
Sisisky
Sweet
Norman Sisisky (D) 114,807
A. George Sweet (R) 71,301
KEYWORDS: HOUSE OF DELEGATES 4TH DISTRICT RESULTS by CNB