ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 17, 1995                   TAG: 9510180093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY AND BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


BELL'S FUND RAISING TOPS EDWARDS' 2-1

State Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, holds more than a 2-to-1 fund-raising advantage over Democratic challenger John Edwards as their campaign enters the final month.

Through the end of September, Bell had raised $175,678, while Edwards had taken in $76,786, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Just as significantly, Bell still had most of his money still on hand, allowing him to buy crucial advertising time in the closing days. Bell had $98,837 in the bank, Edwards only $23,319.

One of Bell's biggest contributors during September was a fellow Republican senator - the campaign of Senate Minority Leader Joseph Benedetti of Richmond gave him $1,000.

A Roanoke medical practice, Affiliated Podiatrists and Foot Surgeons, also gave Bell $1,000, continuing a pattern of the health care industry contributing heavily to Republicans.

Edwards' biggest givers were labor unions, trial lawyers and other political interests. The Virginia AFL-CIO donated $3,500 to bring the union's total giving to Edwards' campaign to $6,500. The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association contributed $2,000, to bring its total giving to $4,000.

Another labor union, the Communications Workers of America, gave $1,300; the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus contributed $1,125.

The district covers Roanoke and most of Roanoke County.

\ Marye, Cupp stay even

Republican challenger Pat Cupp has managed to stay almost even with state Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, although Marye raised more money over the last month.

Cupp stayed up in the money game by lending himself $10,000. He did the same thing in August, bringing the total he's lent his campaign to $20,000.

Campaign reports filed Monday show Marye with $25,898 left to spend going into the crucial final weeks, when campaigns typically begin to spend heavily on television and radio advertising.

Cupp had $22,133. Without the loans, he'd have had just $2,133 in the bank.

To date, Marye has raised $75,958 and spent $50,060. Cupp has taken in $46,874 and spent $44,741.

Marye and Cupp are running for the state Senate seat that stretches from Montgomery County south to Grayson County.

\ Incumbent Shuler outpaces Linkous

In the New River Valley's other hotly contested race, Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg, continues to dominate campaign fund-raising and spending over Republican challenger Larry Linkous.

Shuler, a veterinarian, had $20,680 left to spend as of Sept. 30, compared with $8,610 for Linkous, an auctioneer.

Last month, Shuler raised $20,751 from 259 contributors, while Linkous received $13,916 from 282 contributors.

Shuler's largest contribution last month came from the Commonwealth Victory Fund, the House Democrats' political action committee, which chipped in $3,400, for a to-date total of $6,086.

Linkous' largest September contribution came from coal and real-estate magnate J.D. Nicewonder of Bristol, who gave $500.

Thus far in the campaign, Shuler has raised $82,410. Linkous has raised $44,953.

The district covers part of Montgomery County and eastern Giles County.

Keywords:
POLITICS

NOTE: SHORTER VERSION RAN IN THE METRO EDITION.


Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB