Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 25, 1993 TAG: 9308250214
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: LARRY O'DELL ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Democrat Mary Sue Terry has never been married and has no children.
The issue flared up after Allen's campaign treasurer, James C. Wheat III, listed Allen's family situation as one of the attributes Allen would bring to the governor's office.
Terry supporters said at a Capitol news conference that they were appalled that the Allen camp was making marital status a campaign issue. Del. Jean Cunningham, D-Richmond, demanded that Allen apologize.
At a hastily arranged news conference at his campaign headquarters an hour later, Allen refused to apologize but distanced himself from Wheat's remarks.
"I don't believe simply having a family would make a person a better governor," said Allen as his wife, Susan, stood by his side. "I never attacked my opponent's marital status."
He added that he believed Wheat's comments were misinterpreted by the press. Allen said that after talking with Wheat, he is convinced the treasurer does not believe a governor must be married.
He is also sure Wheat will be more cautious about what he says to reporters, Allen said.
"Talk about a gold medal for backpedaling," Terry spokesman Jay Marlin said. "He's blaming everyone but himself."
Each candidate accused the other of trying to make political hay of the family question.
"It is Mary Sue Terry's campaign that wants to make this an issue," Allen said.
"It would have been no issue if he had disassociated himself from his treasurer's remarks yesterday, and he declined to do so," Marlin countered. "Now it's blown up in his face."
At the Terry supporters' news conference, Cunningham said she was outraged by the notion that a single person would not be as sympathetic to family concerns as would a married one.
Mary Tyler Cheek McClenahan, a Richmond civic leader, said Terry could devote all her energy to her job - "not just what's left over from family duties."
Said Allen spokesman Jay Timmons, "Does this mean Mary Sue Terry thinks George Allen is not fit to be governor because he's married? Talk about hypocritical."
Marlin said McClenahan was speaking for herself.
"All I can tell you is what Mary Sue believes, and that's that being single, being married or being divorced is not relevant to this campaign or to qualifications for being governor," he said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB