THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH AND MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: 71 lines
As expected, the Albemarle region's representation in Congress will not change, as 1st District incumbent Democrat Eva Clayton and 3rd District incumbent Republican Walter B. Jones Jr. coasted to new terms.
As of 10 p.m., Clayton, the first African-American and the first woman from North Carolina to be elected to Congress this century, was easily defeating Republican Ted Tyler of Rich Square, about 2 to 1. Tuesday marked Clayton's third consecutive victory over Tyler in the quest to represent the state's 1st District.
And Jones, following in the footsteps of his late father, longtime North Carolina Rep. Walter B. Jones Sr., was easily defeating Atlantic Beach businessman George Parrott. Jones, who rode to victory in the 1994 GOP sweep of the House and Senate, was running 2 to 1 as of 10 p.m.
While political races at the local, state and national level were rife with mud-slinging of every sort, the 1st District race between Clayton and Tyler was an issue-oriented, almost courtly campaign.
Clayton, who is in her 60s, concentrated on the agenda that marked her first four years on Capitol Hill: support of programs to aid the working poor, farm families and an increase in the minimum wage.
For Tyler, 61, former mayor of Rich Square, a balanced budget was the cornerstone of his campaign.
Clayton was re-elected in the 1st Congressional District which now meanders through coastal North Carolina from the Virginia border almost to South Carolina. Her district was one of two redrawn five years ago under U.S. Justice Department Voting Rights guidelines.
The redistricting was based on 1990 U.S. Census figures that showed population growth in the state required an additional congressional district - the 12th - under the principle of one-man-one-vote.
All 12 districts were redrawn with approximately 500,000 voters in each. The 1st and 12th districts had minority majorities.
Clayton's election secures at least one seat firmly in President Clinton's camp. She has consistently supported the Clinton agenda, including an increase in the minimum wage passed earlier this year.
While the 1st District race was sweetness and light, the 3rd district race was anything but, as Parrott hurled a number of charges against his well-known incumbent.
The 40-year-old Democrat alleged that Jones evaded military service in Vietnam through a National Guard appointment procured by Jones' late father, a charge Jones denied.
During the campaign, Parrott pushed a platform of education, environment and the economy. However, armed with little money and almost no name recognition, the first-time candidate was no match for the incumbent from Farmville.
The hostility in the 3rd District race was rooted in a long-standing dispute between Jones and Parrott, who at one time worked as a volunteer for Jones when the 53-year-old congressman served in the North Carolina General Assembly. So bitter was the feud between the two competitors that Jones would not mention Parrott's name in interviews.
Jones, a staunch supporter of the GOP's ``Contract With America'' said during the campaign that if elected to a second term, a balanced budget amendment would be among his priorities.
The incumbent received the endorsement of powerful conservative and pro-business groups, including the Christian Coalition and the National Federation of Independent Business. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
EVA CLAYTON, incumbent. The first North Carolina African-American
woman to be elected to Congress this century.
WALTER JONES, incumbent. A staunch supporter of ``Contract with
America.''
KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA RESULTS by CNB