The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, October 29, 1994             TAG: 9410290212
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

SANTA LETTERS WERE PUT IN LEAFLETS WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE, OWEN SAYS.

Voters in the state's 1st House District who received direct-mail pamphlets this week plugging Bill Owens for the job got more than even Owens bargained for.

``What a thrill it will be for your favorite little one(s) to receive a very personal letter from Santa - straight from the North Pole!!!'' offers a red-inked insert - for $3 a shot.

Owens said the solicitation was inserted by a campaign supporter without his knowledge, and he has received a letter of apology from the offender.

``I was not pleased with that,'' Owens said, adding that the situation could have been worse. ``Santa Claus is about as nonpartisan as you can be.''

KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA by CNB