THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 1994 TAG: 9411090354
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Democratic incumbent Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott was re-elected Tuesday, easily defeating Republican Tom Ward in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District.
Scott, 47, maintained his hold on the Norfolk-to-Richmond district by rolling past Ward with 79 percent of the vote.
Unofficial returns showed that Scott, the state's only black congressman, defeated Ward in all but one of the 3rd District's eight cities and eight counties.
In Norfolk, Scott received 14,418 votes to Ward's 2,515, and in Portsmouth, Scott polled 9,587 votes to Ward's 920.
At a victory celebration at the Omni Hotel in Richmond Tuesday night, Scott said the large voter turnout indicated that his constituents wanted to vote on the issues.
``I'm delighted to win,'' Scott said. ``We went on the issues, unlike a lot of races around the country that were filled with hatred and meanness.''
Scott said he will continue to work on legislation to reduce the federal deficit.
``Not the sound bites and slogans, but the hard work that results in criticism - that's what it takes,'' he said.
In addition to the deficit, Scott said, he will focus on education, welfare reform, health care and crime-prevention.
With several major military bases being considered for closure this year, Scott said, defense is another important issue he plans to tackle during his upcoming term.
Scott credited his victory to his public service and familiarity with voters.
``Frankly, I believe I worked hard,'' he said. ``We're delighted with the campaign and with the response.''
Scott's first bid for re-election mirrors his victory two years ago and comes as no surprise. In 1992, he defeated Republican Daniel Jenkins in the then-new district. With 79 percent of the vote, he became the first black congressman from Virginia in 102 years.
Scott, a Newport News native, was the front-runner throughout this year's campaign and has remained popular in the black-majority district since he was elected.
Ward, a 61-year-old Newport News economic consultant, had hoped his ``universal'' campaign platform would capture black and white votes.
The 3rd District contest had been characterized as the ``quiet'' race - overshadowed by highly visible campaigns for the Senate and other congressional districts.
Before his election two years ago, Scott served 14 years in Virginia's General Assembly.
The 3rd District was redrawn after the 1990 census. More than 60 percent of the residents are black. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Associated Press/
Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott, right, chats with Ali Hossani, a
supporter, at a victory party in Richmond Tuesday night.
Graphic
3RD DISTRICT
Photos
Scott
Ward
Robert C. Scott (D) 108,080
Thomas E. Ward (R) 28,029
KEYWORDS: HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE 3RD DISTRICT RESULTS by CNB