
DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 1997         TAG: 9709170483

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: DECISION '97

SOURCE: BY LEDYARD KING, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  109 lines

WHO WILL FILL THESE SEATS? FEWER SEATS CONTESTED IN HOUSE OF DELEGATES, AND GOP LESS FOCUSED ON GAINING A MAJORITY

Two years ago, Virginia Republicans swaggered into November ready to capture the legislature and embark on a program to cut taxes, winnow government and reform public education.

But widespread momentum from George F. Allen's 1993 gubernatorial victory and the 1994 GOP takeover of Congress failed to materialize. When the 1995 ballots were counted, however, the state Senate was tied and the House of Delegates remained effectively in Democratic hands.

So Republicans are entering this fall's House elections with a little less strut. Senate elections don't come up again until 1999.

The House minority leader gives his party no better than a 50-50 chance of gaining the four seats that would give Republicans control. And the head of the Joint Republican Caucus says the GOP shouldn't make that pitch anyway.

``We are not running campaigns that are based on capturing control because that's not what most voters care about,'' J. Scott Leake, executive director of the Joint Republican Caucus. ``Two years ago, we asked a question: `Rather have the Democrats or the Republicans?' And most of them responded: `It doesn't matter. I'm going to vote for this person or that person.' ''

Other trends:

Voters will have fewer choices. Only 52 of 100 House seats are contested this fall. And of those, just 39 feature challenges from a major-party candidate - the lowest number of contested races since 1987.

Democrats hold 53 House seats while Republicans hold 46. Del. Lacey E. Putney of Bedford is an Independent. ``We've returned to the bad old days of the '80s when we had little competition,'' said political scientist Larry Sabato.

In a year when statewide candidates have sucked up the attention and money of large contributors, House Minority Leader S. Vance Wilkins Jr., R-Amherst, said recruiting challengers is not easy.

``It's always difficult to find good candidates because you're asking a lot of someone,'' he said. ``You're asking them to give up their social life, to work six days a week, to go out and raise money. To go and give up that much time (from) their family and their business is asking an awful lot.''

Party balance may not affect a decision on taxes.

The discussion between the two top-ticket candidates - Donald S. Beyer Jr. and James S. Gilmore III - has centered on a car tax-cutting proposal and spending priorities for improving Virginia's schools.

But while the governor sets the tone and pace of government, General Assembly members actually hold the state's purse strings.

Key leaders for both parties in the General Assembly have expressed doubt that a car tax cut is in the best interests of the state and would be approved by the General Assembly. But a Republican-controlled legislature is more apt to grant wider relief.

Hampton Roads may be closely watched.

Some of the most vital seats are in Hampton Roads. Republicans want to hold onto the 76th District seat Del. Robert E. Nelms, R-Suffolk, is surrendering. Democrat Michelle Degnan of Chesapeake and Republican Chris Jones of Suffolk are running. The district includes parts of those cities as well as part of Isle of Wight County.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Gilmore has high hopes that Beverly B. Graeber can grab this Democratic seat now held by the retiring Del. George H. Heilig Jr. (District 86, Norfolk). Democratic opponent Donald L. Williams is expected to benefit running in a city that overwhelmingly supported Clinton for president and Democrat Mark Warner over U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, last year.

Another seat to watch is held by Del. Thelma Drake (District 87, parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach). Republican Drake defeated Del. Howard E. Copeland, D-Norfolk, in the only 1995 House contest where Republicans ousted a Democratic incumbent. Drake won the seat comfortably (55 to 45 percent), but Democrats still harbor hopes to win it back this fall. Democrat Todd M. Fiorella is running.

``(Republicans) probably have to win all of the close races,'' said Tom Morris, a political scientist who serves as president of Emory & Henry College in Emory.

Wilkins, the minority leader, isn't making bold promises of upsetting the Democrats. That's a contrast to 1995, when Wilkins sent House Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr., D-Norfolk, a letter asking him to set up a transition team for a possible Republican takeover.

No letter this time.

``He's got the old one,'' Wilkins said. ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN/File color photo

Graphic

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Term: Two years.

Term limit: None.

Qualifications: Must be qualified to vote. Must be 21 by the time

of election. Must be a resident of Virginia for at least one year

prior to the election. Must be a resident of the district in which

you're running.

Responsibilities: Sponsor legislation. Vote on bills. Approve

biennial budget. Serve on committees that examine bills. Vote on