THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 1, 1995 TAG: 9508010277
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ROANOKE LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
The Republican candidate for Vic Thomas' seat in the House of Delegates said Monday his campaign has made him the target of death threats.
Jeff Artis said he first wanted to keep quiet about the threats but a newspaper story about his car being vandalized made him decide to go public. Artis said he received death threats in April and May.
``Both times, an unidentified person has called my house and has told me, `Ain't no nigger gonna beat Vic Thomas. You won't be around on Election Day.' ''
Artis said that another student at Patrick Henry High School told his son that his father was going to get a gun and ``blow me away.'' The statement was reported to school officials and the student said he was just goofing around, Artis said.
His car also was vandalized in front of his home in Roanoke, he said. ``I have reason to believe I was being sent a message that someone is either not happy with me personally or someone is not happy with my campaign,'' Artis said during a news conference. by CNB