THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412150389
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RALEIGH LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt has begun preparations for a rematch with Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, urging supporters to send money to his political action committee.
``A number of folks in North Carolina and around the country have been wondering about what I planned to do in '96,'' Gantt wrote in a postscript to a letter mailed recently to supporters.
``I want you to know that I fully intend to seek the U.S. Senate seat in 1996 held by Jesse Helms.
``Our race against Helms in 1990 and the results of Nov. 8 convince me that we can and must win. It will be tough, but we can do it with your help and hard work.''
Gantt lost to Helms 53 percent to 47 percent in 1990 in a race that caught the nation's attention.
But Gantt could very well find himself in a Democratic primary. Charles Sanders, a cardiologist and chairman of Glaxo Inc., and Bobby Etheridge, the state schools superintendent, are considering running, as well.
``It's always good to have a primary,'' Gantt told The News & Observer of Raleigh.
``It would be nice to get the nomination without a primary. But he (Sanders) seems like a worthy opponent.''
Although Helms has not formally announced, he has given permission to supporters to begin organizing for a fifth term.
``Senator Helms is never vulnerable,'' Gantt said.
``One must always assume he has the upper hand in North Carolina. He is one of the winningest politicians in the state.''
But Gantt said the recent defeats will serve to energize Democratic voters in 1996.
Gantt also said he doesn't think the furor over Helms' remarks regarding President Clinton's need for a bodyguard will harm the senator politically. In fact, Gantt said he thought it would probably help Helms - serving to energize his key backers.
``I think it was well-calculated,'' Gantt said.
``It's not much different from the kind of statement he made in 1990 and 1984 - in which he made some pretty tough remarks about Martin Luther King.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Harvey Gantt
Seeks money from supporters
by CNB