
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 13, 1994                   TAG: 9406140272
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA                                LENGTH: Medium

ROBB HOPES SUPPORTERS VOTE APATHY TOWARD TUESDAY'S PRIMARY EXPECTED TO PRODUC

Sen. Charles Robb said Sunday many of his supporters will not vote in the Democratic primary because they think primaries are unimportant.

"Primaries are traditionally very low turnout affairs, and especially when the perception is that it's not a close race, it makes things very difficult," Robb said. "Those who are most likely to turn out are those who are going to vote for somebody else."

In a low-key afternoon of campaigning in Northern Virginia, Robb shook hands at the Alexandria Waterfront Festival and chatted about football and fast food.

Robb said he is confident he will defeat his three challengers in Tuesday's primary voting.

"Of course I'm not taking anything for granted. We're working right up to the last minute," Robb told reporters.

Robb said he knows of no major effort among Republicans to sabotage the voting, which is open to all registered voters.

GOP Senate nominee Oliver North had joked that Republicans should turn out to vote for Robb in the primary and then vote for North in November. The theory is that North is a stronger candidate against Robb than he would be against any of Robb's challengers.

Robb spent the weekend in Northern Virginia, where he lives and has his major base of support.

He said he stayed away from Southwest Virginia in deference to Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount, who is challenging Robb.

"I expect a good turnout [for Goode] particularly in the far southwestern part of the state. . . . As a courtesy I have not pushed too hard in that area."

Richmond lawyer Sylvia Clute and Nancy Spannaus, an associate of political extremist Lyndon LaRouche, also are challenging Robb in the primary.

Goode campaigned Sunday in the Hampton Roads area because his campaign believes that region could be the key to Tuesday's election, Goode spokesman Craig Bieber said.

"We think we will carry the rural areas, Robb is strong in Northern Virginia, and it looks pretty even in the Richmond area. The big question mark is Hampton Roads."

Goode campaigned at an arts festival in Newport News and a country music shindig in Virginia Beach.

Keywords:
STATE POLITICS

by CNB