THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506160204
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
Now that Ed Schrock, a former money manager at Kidder Peabody & Co., has won the Republican primary for the 7th District seat, the stage is set for his fall challenge of 12-year incumbent Dr. Clarence Holland for the Virginia Senate.
Schrock, 54, won the primary against Wally Erb, a systems engineer for a defense contractor. It was the second defeat for Erb, 50, who last year ran unsuccessfully for the Kempsville seat on City Council.
Of the 3,349 votes cast, Schrock won 59 percent of them and in doing so saved the Virginia Beach GOP from a little embarrassment. Two and a half hours before the polls closed, the Joint Republican Caucus named Schrock the winner in a fax press release sent statewide.
Schrock's door-to-door campaigning and his fund-raising - estimated at $28,000 - was largely credited with ensuring his victory. Erb raised about $5,000 and relied on an all-volunteer staff.
Republicans have targeted Holland's seat in the expectation that if they win it and two other Senate seats held by Democrats they will tilt the balance of power in Richmond. Democrats outnumber Republicans in both the House and Senate by only three seats.
Holland represents voters in Bayside and parts of Kempsville.
Schrock has said the biggest issues facing voters are crime, education and the need for jobs. An advocate of Gov. George Allen's efforts to abolish parole, Schrock thinks Republicans should be given a chance to help Allen accomplish more of his goals.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA STATE SENATE RACE CANDIDATE by CNB