ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9611050005
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: VOTER'S GUIDE
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON AND DAN CASEY STAFF WRITERS
BOB GOODLATTE
Party: Republican
Residence: Roanoke
Occupation: Lawyer
Background: Elected to Congress in 1992
Campaign office: 389-1170
JEFF GREY
Party: Democrat
Residence: Rockbridge County
Occupation: Communications technician
Background: First try for elected office
Campaign office: 982-1763
JAY RUTLEDGE
Party: Libertarian
Residence: Roanoke
Occupation: Software developer
Background: First try for elected office
Campaign office: 981-9213
REP. Bob Goodlatte stresses his economic development efforts, such as his work to attract new employers and route Interstate 73 through Roanoke. He says local communities know how to spend their money better than a bureaucracy in Washington.
Goodlatte's voting record has jibed with the Republican House majority more than 90 percent of the time. He gets high marks from business groups, the National Rifle Association and the Christian Coalition. Consumer, environmental and labor groups generally dislike his record.
Democrat Jeff Grey tries to paint Goodlatte as a "Newt Gingrich extremist" who has attacked spending for the environment, the elderly and schoolchildren. Grey spends less time talking about his own policy ideas, but emphasizes his military service and his blue-collar background.
Goodlatte has responded to Grey's blasts by saying Grey is running a desperate campaign of distortions.
Libertarian Jay Rutledge calls for an end to the federal income tax. He believes "government doesn't work because it relies on coercion."
The race's only fireworks came at a Goodlatte fund-raiser where his friend, California Rep. Sonny Bono, said President Clinton was a "criminal" who had CIA "hit squads" in Haiti. After Grey blasted Goodlatte for Bono's speech, Goodlatte issued a statement calling Bono's remarks "irresponsible."
The challengers are sledding uphill against Goodlatte's well-monied campaign.
By Sept. 30, Grey had raised $53,475. Goodlatte had already spent $189,747 - and still had $508,632 in the bank.
Grey's biggest contributors are union political action committees, such as the Sheet Metal Workers International ($5,000) and the United Steelworkers of America ($2,000). Goodlatte's big backers are corporate and professional PACs, such as the Virginia Bankers Association ($5,000) and Time-Warner Inc. ($3,000).
Rutledge has raised less than $5,000.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 3 headshots. color. Graphic: Map. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB