
DATE: Sunday, November 2, 1997              TAG: 9710310124

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Elizabeth Simpson, staff writer 

                                            LENGTH:  128 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: * Megan Carroll Beyer is the wife of Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr.; his first name was incorrect in a photo caption with profiles of the gubernatorial candidates' wives in Sunday's Daily Break. Also, the first name of Roxane Gatling Gilmore was spelled wrong; she is the wife of Republican candidate James S. Gilmore III. Correction published, Tuesday, November 4, 1997, p.A2 * MEGAN CARROLL BEYER, 40 PROFILES: THE WOMEN BEHIND THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES

Tell me a little bit about your life. Where did you grow up? How have you spent your adulthood?

I was born in Alexandria, Va., and I was one of six children. I was the fourth of six. My dad is a physician. He was a family doctor when I was growing up, and I'd go along with him on house calls. I went to the University of Richmond and studied journalism. I ended up becoming a television reporter. My first job was in radio, and then I worked for a very small cable company covering local news in Northern Virginia. It was through that job that I met Don. I was a reporter for 10 years. I worked most recently for a nationally syndicated business show that airs on 150 stations. I covered only business issues, since I married myself out of a political beat.

Tell me a little more about how you met your husband.

I was covering politics in Northern Virginia. I knew him as a businessman, not as a political person. He was very active in the community. Then he started running Jerry Baliles' campaign for governor, and I'd go over there to do interviews with Jerry Baliles. I remember when he would give speeches introducing Jerry, I'd think, `Wouldn't it be great if someone like that would run for governor?' And also, `Wouldn't it be great if someone like that asked me out?' It turned out to be somewhat prophetic.

What are your long-term goals in life?

I took off work as a free-lancer in January to take care of my kids and work on the campaign. Having children for me was a very life-assessing milestone. I didn't have children until I was 35. I thought I would always work, and if I had children I'd continue to work. But once I had children, I changed my mind. I don't want anyone else tucking them in for naps. Clara is 5 now, and Grace is 2. Don also has two older children, Stephanie, who's 17, and Donny, who's 22. If you had asked me in my 20s what my long-term goals were, I would have said I wanted to be a reporter covering politics at the White House. Life took me in a different direction. I am completely fulfilled in caring for my children. I want to do that and still do enough of my profession on the side to make sure I have the competency to continue it at some point in time.

Tell me about your relationship with your husband. What kind of couple are you?

We are very much alike. We are get-it-done kind of people. We both like to read. We enjoy people, enjoy entertaining. He's very outdoorsy; I'm not. He likes to go hiking, I like to go shopping. He likes golf; I golf defensively. But I'm not a golf widow. We both enjoy politics. I always came at politics as a reporter, with a more cynical view, and he comes at it as someone who has worked on campaigns, and as a political leader. The people who run for office are often idealistic. He is truly in this to make positive change in people's lives. That's one thing that has broadened my view as a reporter, seeing the other side. It's not about smoking cigars in a back room. A lot of what you see on the surface is what you get. Sometimes reporters tend to cover the conflict instead of covering the substantive issues that matter to people in a democracy.

What do you like best about your husband?

His equanimity. He is the soul of equanimity. That is the most incredible strength you can have. He is always the one you can turn to, and he would have a cool head, and know what to do. I remember the first time I rode in a car with him. I have never felt so safe in my life. He has that effect. It's his competency and equanimity.

What do you think is the ideal role for the first lady of Virginia?

I look at it as an opportunity to serve and make a difference that not many people in the world get. Susan Allen did a great job with tourism, and you can quantitatively see the difference she has made in tourism. You have to pick something you feel strongly about and try to make a difference. In those four years, you are given an opportunity. It's a very valuable role for the commonwealth and the person who holds that opportunity. You have a bully pulpit, that's what you're given.

How, if at all, would you use the position if your husband is elected governor?

I would focus on preschools for at-risk neighborhoods. I have seen how the attention in those early years is so incredibly critical in making a difference down the line. If we take preschoolers living in poverty and give them some special attention, some hope, a mentor, just a little something extra, it will not only save us money in the long run, but it's also good from a humanity perspective. That's what I would do as First Lady. I would take the opportunity to make a positive change in people's lives. I'd love that opportunity. I've been involved in something called the Alexandria Network Preschool. Thirteen years ago, the children in a project in Alexandria flunked kindergarten, so the community gathered together and put together a preschool. Now in the 13 years it's been offered, not one of them has flunked kindergarten. I have a real interest in those types of projects. I'm interested in many issues concerning children. I would not limit myself to preschool. I'd also look at housing, medical care, education, anything that would help kids in at-risk neighborhoods.

Has it been tough juggling the demands of motherhood with the demands of being on the campaign trail? What's that been like?

We had a motor home and if you can imagine what it would be like traveling with a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old, then you have a pretty good idea. I think they'll remember it as the summer they went to a lot of county fairs and picnics. It's definitely had its moments. But I was so glad we had that motor home. That way I was able to take them with me, and not leave them at home. Since Don is gone a lot I want to be with them as much as I can. My mom has helped out a lot, so I've been lucky.

Have you heard anything on the campaign trail that surprised you?

It's been very interesting. You deal with the public, so that makes it varied. In general, people have been incredibly nice. I came home the other day, and there was $22,000 in checks that people had slipped through the door. It was like something out of the movie ``It's a Wonderful Life.'' We've had people call and offer to care for the children while we were campaigning, and I've had people bring by hot meals, knowing we wouldn't have time to cook. I am humbled by how nice people have been. I see such an opportunity for Virginia in this race. Don would be the first business person in 40 years to hold the office. He's talking about investing in education, putting Virginia in a position to be a leader in the next century. It's going to be a tough world for our children, tougher than it was for us. We have to give children the best education we have. If we have a sophisticated work force, we can take the next century. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot

Megan Beyer visits children... KEYWORDS: PROFILE BIOGRAPHY ELECTION VIRGINIA

GUBERNATORIAL RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES' WIVES

INTERVIEW

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