THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607250414
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 33 lines
State Sen. Mark L. Earley of Chesapeake, a leading social conservative in state government, is on the verge of announcing his candidacy in next year's race for attorney general, a number of Republican sources said Wednesday.
He would become the second Hampton Roads lawmaker to enter the June 10 GOP primary, joining Senate colleague Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach. Also running is Gil Davis, a Northern Virginia lawyer whose client Paula Jones is pressing sexual harassment charges against President Clinton.
Earley, who in recent years has led unsuccessful efforts to enact parental-consent laws for teenagers seeking abortions, did not return telephone calls Wednesday night.
But several Republican leaders said he has been traveling around the state frequently in recent weeks trying to assess support for his candidacy, and that they expect him to announce his bid soon.
``He said he was giving serious consideration to running and thought he would,'' said Ellen Nau, chairman of the Chesterfield County Republican Committee - a group that Earley addressed Tuesday night.
Stolle said Earley told him last week that he might run. ``It's a little late but if he wants to get in, more power to him,'' said Stolle, who has been running for several months and has raised about $300,000.
Stolle described Earley as a colleague he is personally and, for the most part, ideologically close to.
Earley, a lawyer, was elected to the Senate in 1987, defeating longtime Democratic incumbent William T. Parker. The 41-year-old, gray-haired legislator is known as a calm and reasoned debater on behalf of social conservative issues. He is considered more moderate on business issues. by CNB