THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9512300358
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL SIZEMORE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
U.S. Rep. Herbert H. Bateman says he's not going to make the same mistake twice.
In November 1993, the Peninsula Republican announced he would run one more time for re-election, then retire.
Then in November 1994, Republicans took control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years. Bateman, after toiling in the minority party since he entered Congress in 1983, was suddenly in the majority. It wasn't long before he began to waffle on his pledge.
Friday, he made the flip-flop official: He will run for an eighth term in November 1996.
This time, he made no mention of retirement.
Bateman, 67, whose 1st District includes portions of the Peninsula and the Eastern Shore, declared himself fit and ready to run an aggressive campaign. Despite some health problems in recent years, he said at a news conference, ``my health is not an issue.''
Bateman was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992. He underwent a series of radiation treatments, and doctors pronounced him cured. Bateman said Friday he is monitored every three to four months and there has been no recurrence of the cancer.
He has had coronary bypass surgery, and suffered a mild heart attack in July that put him in the hospital for several days.
Bateman said he had a poll conducted in November that found 72 percent of 1st District voters had a favorable view of him, and 76 percent said his change of heart on running again would have no effect on how they vote.
The Republican takeover of Congress elevated Bateman to the chairmanships of the subcommittee on military readiness and the merchant marine panel of the House National Security Committee.
He helped cobble together a provision in this year's defense authorization bill that would give Newport News Shipbuilding $110 million to help keep it viable in the submarine-building business. President Clinton vetoed the bill Friday, citing objections to another provision for a ``Star Wars,'' space-based anti-missile system.
Bateman called it ``critically important'' that the submarine program be restored. He cited that as one of his reasons for seeking re-election.
He said he also wants to return to Washington ``to ensure the present effort to get our country's fiscal house in order remains on track.''
``Balancing the budget is of paramount importance,'' he said. ``Nothing means more to America's future.''
He said ``it wounds me'' that the budget impasse between Clinton and the GOP-led Congress has led to two partial shutdowns of the government, but he blamed Clinton for failing to submit a plan that would balance the budget using congressional fiscal projections.
He said congressional Republicans are willing to do their part to reach a compromise.
``We don't expect to have our way entirely,'' he said. ``We understand there has to be some give and take. But it's time for the president to come to the table.''
Bateman acknowledged that a pending court challenge to Virginia's most recent congressional reapportionment, if successful, could affect his chances of re-election.
The lawsuit filed this fall by two Republican activists challenges the creation of Rep. Robert Scott's majority-black 3rd District. The reapportionment removed nearly half of the 1st District's African-American residents and put them in the 3rd, leaving Bateman with a more Republican-friendly district.
In 1990, under the old district lines, Bateman barely fended off a challenge from Andrew H. Fox, an underfunded TV reporter and political neophyte, 51 percent to 49 percent.
In 1992, after the districts were redrawn, Bateman easily defeated Fox, 57.5 percent to 38.7 percent. He coasted to victory again in 1994 over Mary F. Sinclair, a member of the York County Board of Supervisors.
Bateman said Friday he doubts the court challenge will be resolved before the 1996 election.
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE CONGRESSIONAL RACE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES by CNB