
DATE: Wednesday, June 11, 1997              TAG: 9706120708

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL  

SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   69 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: * Sharon M. McDonald, the Democratic nominee for Norfolk's commissioner of the revenue, lives in Colonial Place. An article in Wednesday's Hampton Roads section gave a wrong location. Correction published Thursday, June 12, 1997 on page A2 of THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT. * GIBSON TO BE GOP'S MAN FOR NORFOLK REVENUE POST THE PRIMARY WINNER'S OPPONENTS SAY THEY'LL SUPPORT HIM IN THE FALL.

Charles E. ``Charlie'' Gibson, an Ocean View Republican, didn't break a sweat to win Tuesday's three-man GOP primary race for Norfolk's commissioner of the revenue.

Gibson, 64, who worked for 36 years in the commissioner's office before retiring last year as senior deputy, captured nearly 58 percent of the vote to defeat Robert A. ``Bob'' Smith and Neal S. Windley.

Gibson carried 40 of the city's 60 precincts, as well as the absentee votes. He garnered 4,235 votes, while Smith collected 1,948 and Windley received 1,142.

``The greatest experience today is when I voted for myself, and I was the candidate for the commissioner of the revenue,'' Gibson said Tuesday of his first run for elected office. ``It was a feeling of elation.''

In the November election, Gibson will face Democrat Sharon M. McDonald, 41, a Larchmont businesswoman making her first run for elected office.

McDonald, a former bank vice president, runs a company that mediates disputes between businesses, individuals and public agencies, and provides training in conflict resolution.

The commissioner of revenue slot, typically a low-profile office, attracted a flurry of interest this year with the announced retirement of longtime Democrat Sam T. Barfield, who has held the office for nearly 28 years.

Republicans this fall hope to win the constitutional office, continuing gains made in recent elections. The GOP now controls the offices of sheriff and clerk of court.

Gibson said his knowledge and experience gave him an edge in the low-key and mud-free race, which prompted both Windley and Smith on Tuesday night to pledge their support to Gibson in the fall.

Gibson said his primary spending probably will come in under $13,000 for signs, direct mail and other advertising.

The commissioner of the revenue assesses the value of personal property, such as cars and boats and business equipment and tools. It also classifies businesses when they apply for a license, which determines the amount of taxes they pay.

Norfolk's next commissioner will receive a minimum $76,092 salary from the state, according to the Virginia Compensation Board. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Charles E. Gibson

Graphic

VOTE TOTALS

75th District,

Democratic primary

J. Paul Councill Jr.: 2,306

Del M. Mauhrine Brown: 1,199 KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORFOLK PRIMARY ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER

OF THE REVENUE RACE NORFOLK