The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996            TAG: 9608280431
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A11  EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: CHICAGO                           LENGTH:   38 lines

MARK WARNER CASTS WIDER NET FOR FUNDS IN SENATE RACE

Mark Warner, the fabulously wealthy Virginia Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, came breezing through Chicago Tuesday in search of - gasp, of all things - money.

Warner took a one-day hiatus from his campaign travels around Virginia to pay fund-raising calls on a host of Democratic benefactors from across the country gathered in the Windy City this week.

``You guys are so quick to point out my net worth in every story,'' he quipped to a group of Virginia reporters, ``that its easier to go to other parts of the country to appeal for funds.''

Warner, 41, is a cellular telephone magnate who estimates his personal wealth in excess of $100 million. He's spent at least $2.3 million of that fortune bankrolling his campaign. Those personal contributions accounted for more than 75 percent of the money raised by Warner's campaign, according to a July report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Warner declined to say whether he'll continue financing the bulk of his campaign. ``I'm not focused on that right now,'' he said. ``I'm focused on finishing my tour of all 135 jurisdictions in the state by Labor Day. I have only six left.''

Warner received a rousing ovation during a brief breakfast speech before the Virginia delegation. He portrayed his opponent - three-term Republican incumbent John W. Warner - as an out-of-touch politician who has become increasingly doctrinaire and conservative in recent years.

Virginia's other senator - Democrat Charles S. Robb - promised Tuesday to campaign heavily for Mark Warner. ``Virginians need to look ahead and I think Mark Warner is the best candidate to lead us into the 21st century,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Senate candidate Mark Warner

KEYWORDS: DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION 1996 by CNB