Campaign 1994

A new ad for Democrat Parris N. Glendening linking opponent Ellen R. Sauerbrey to evangelist Pat Robertson drew a blistering response yesterday from Mrs. Sauerbrey, who called it a "despicable" assault on conservative Christian voters.In some of the harshest rhetoric of the gubernatorial campaign, the Republican said the commercial -- which says she is backed by "Pat Robertson's radical right" -- amounts to religious "bigotry.""What's the message? That there's something wrong with someone with faith supporting a person in the political process?"

With all 435 House seats at stake this fall and voter anger at Washington running high, the 1994 election has the potential to produce major changes in Congress. President Clinton and the Democrats are hoping to keep their losses to a minimum, while Republicans dream of gaining control of the House for the first time in 40 years.This is one in an occasional series on selected House races around the country, and the third report on the campaign in the 5th District of North Carolina.WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- When Gov. Jim Hunt Jr. toured the Mud Pies day care center here the other day, state Sen. A. P. "Sandy" Sands was just over his left shoulder in all the pictures.

State Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. is leading challenger Richard D. Bennett just days before Tuesday's election, although Mr. Bennett remains within striking distance, a new poll shows.Another Democratic incumbent, Louis L. Goldstein, continues to hold a wide lead against Republican Timothy R. Mayberry in the race for state comptroller.A Mason-Dixon Political Media Research poll released yesterday shows Mr. Curran, a Democrat, with 47 percent of the vote and his Republican challenger with 35 percent.

A difference of opinion over the role of the sheriff in Baltimore County separates the candidates for the job, as voters decide Tuesday whether to give Republican Norman M. Pepersack Jr. a second term or to replace him with Democrat Charles W. "Chuck" Norris Jr.Sheriff Pepersack said he will focus on the duties of the job -- transporting prisoners, providing courthouse security and serving legal papers -- but he believes his deputies could play a larger role."We're...

Republican Bill Brock has spent nearly $1.8 million of his own money in his race for the U.S. Senate, but poll results released yesterday show that he still trails his opponent, incumbent Democrat Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, by a wide margin.The poll, conducted by Mason- Dixon Political Media Research for The Sun and other news organizations, shows Mr. Sarbanes leading Mr. Brock, 56 percent to 36 percent, with 8 percent undecided.Mason-Dixon surveyed 832 regular voters for the poll on Wednesday and Thursday.

With the election only five days away, the candidates for governor yesterday charged each other with 11th-hour switches on the environment and taxes.In dueling press conferences in Anne Arundel County, Republican Ellen R. Sauerbrey said Democrat Parris N. Glendening had gone through a "death-bed conversion" to become a would-be tax-cutter, while he derided her attempt to cast herself as an environmentalist."

With the election only five days away, the candidates for governor yesterday charged each other with 11th-hour switches on the environment and taxes.In dueling news conferences in Anne Arundel County, Republican Ellen R. Sauerbrey said Democrat Parris N. Glendening had gone through a "death-bed conversion" to become a would-be tax-cutter, while he derided her attempt to cast herself as an environmentalist."

In the final days of the race for governor, Republican Ellen R. Sauerbrey is counting on the passion of her supporters -- and a heightened last-minute television ad campaign -- to overcome her well-financed Democratic opponent, Parris N. Glendening.Unlike Mr. Glendening -- who plans on spending a total of $6million in his gubernatorial bid, $2.5 million of it in the eight-week general election campaign -- Mrs. Sauerbrey is limited to spending just under $1 million in the general election because she has accepted public financing.

It's not often in politics that a campaign manager can tell you about the time the candidate's dog passed away or the science projects he did in school.But the long-shot campaign of Republican Timothy R. Mayberry is far from ordinary.His quest to be Maryland comptroller is being run with little fanfare and less money from the Washington County home he shares with his manager/spokeswoman/strategist.Who happens to be his mother."That's off the record," said Dee Richards, a feisty former speech writer and political consultant.

Bobby Kennedy's daughter has arrived to campaign, but the Over 55 Club at the Locust Point Recreation Center would rather sing.As Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, cools her heels, about 70 seniors sing through "In The Good Old Sum- mertime," "A Bicycle Built for Two" and "Shine On, Harvest Moon."When Mrs. Townsend finally begins speaking, many in the group wandered off to lunch.She rushes through a short speech, concluding: "I hope that all of you on Nov. 8 will vote and vote for the Democrats."