THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 30, 1996              TAG: 9601300318
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: FAYETTEVILLE                       LENGTH: Short :   26 lines

FORMER COUNSEL TO HELMS SEEKS GOP NOMINATION IN 7TH DISTRICT

Robert Wilkie, former counsel to U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 7th District congressional seat.

``We must finally break the grip that the liberal establishment has had on our businesses, farms, pocketbooks and children,'' Wilkie said in a statement released Sunday.

``1994 was the first tremor of an earthquake that is sweeping away big government and expanding freedom,'' Wilkie said.

``North Carolina is choosing a different path and it is long past time for the tired old establishment to step aside,'' he said.

The 7th District seat is now held by Rep. Charlie Rose, D-N.C. by CNB