The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 37

STATE Sunday, Octobf 25. 1822 5B (Die (Brcttunlle News 7TTI MM Bland Derrick By Brad Cooper Nairn Andwaon Butmu ANDERSON At time when Congress is bashed at every turn and House members are feeling the repercussions of a check-writing scandal, VS. Rep. Butler Derrick has found a way to avoid a well-financed, prominent Republican challenger for the seat he has held for 18 years. "I think I have stayed close over the years to the people that I represent," said Derrick.

Derrick, who has risen in seniority to chief deputy whip of the House, faces the Republican challenge of James Bland, a physician, lawyer and Aiken County Councilman. But whether constituents perceive Derrick as part of the district or the problems of Congress is the key issue in the 3rd District from Honea Path to Ware Shoals as well as money to provide second-year funding for Clemson University to continue participating in a four-university textile research consortium. Bland, with about $13,000, has been confined to going door-to-door, trying to greet voters at shopping malls and attending different social functions throughout the lfrcounty district. "I have spent very little time in trying to secure money from individuals to contribute to my campaign," he said. "That to me has not been a priority full well knowing that in America today without major funds you are going to have some problems, perhaps." Bland, who concedes be was an unknown to much of the district outside of Aiken County, said he has done some direct mail.

Derrick for being a part of system which has caused legislative "gridlock." Derrick has tried to distance himself from some of Congress' woes. In campaign literature mailed to voters, he makes it a point to mention that he banks in Edgefield not at the House bank in Washington. "My heart and soul have remained in the third Congressional District, as my bank account has remained in the third Congressional District," said Derrick. He also points out that he has voted against Congressional pay raises. Derrick, who is next in line to chair the powerful House Rules Committee, says his seniority benefits the Third District.

He points to the $6.9 million he helped obtain for a sewer line race. "I don't think people perceive me as being somebody who is off up there in Washington," said Derrick. Bland contends otherwise. "Thirty-eight years of bureaucratic nightmare can be laid at the doors of the Democratic Congress," Bland said at a recent campaign stop in Pickens County. "The Democratic leadership, of which Mr.

Derrick is a member and which he has admitted to being a member, knew of the House banking fiasco for some time prior to it being brought forward to this country." The 3rd District includes Anderson, Pickens, Oconee, Laurens, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield, Saluda, Greenwood and Aiken counties. Bland believes the political currents are running for change. "Regardless of what is in print, this is a very unique year in American politics," Bland said. "There are a lot currents out there there are a lot of forces out there, some understood and some not understood. People want a change and I think that change may be a massive change." But Derrick has nearly $300,000 in his campaign war chest roughly 23 times more than Bland.

Derrick, an Edgefield lawyer, overwhelmed Pickens County real estate developer Ray Has-kett with 58 percent of the vote in 1990. Haskett and Anderson surgeon Henry Jordan, who lost to Derrick in 1988 with 46 percent of the vote, both had more money to spend than Bland, who entered the race late after the new congressional districts were drawn and chose not to make raising money a priority. The 57-year-old Bland, faced with a limited budget for delivering his message, has attacked 4th District race offers voters some distinct choices 5) nomic freedom like conservatives. On Nov. 3, vot-ers in Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and part of Laurens County will i 5J LLiZJ ByJillGorber News staff writer In many local political races this year, voters won't have any choice.

A lot of officeholders are running unopposed. They will ease into another term without a high-profile campaign, a spirited discussion of the issues or election-night fanfare. But in the 4th District congressional race, voters have three choices among diverse candidates whose philosophies span the political spectrum. Incumbent Democrat Liz Patterson calls herself a mainstream moderate who doesn't follow the party line and is known to vote sometimes with Republicans. son has been the target of some scrutiny from her opponents.

Inglis has called for reform in Congress. He has portrayed it as a group of professional politicians who care more about getting reelected than solving key issues. He would push for term limits and would limit his own. He also would refuse money from political action committees and try to abolish them. With those changes and others made, he believes Congress could work on key issues.

Beyond congressional reform, Inglis' key issues include seeking a balanced budget, deficit reduction, health care reform and welfare reform. Mrs. Patterson, who has been in Congress for six years, has em- phasized her record and desire to continue making progress on complex issues such as budgetary reform and cutting the deficit. She wants to continue pushing for measures she said would bring more accountability and less spending to the budget process. These include a balanced budget amendment and a statutory line-item veto.

She has called for more cooperation between Congress and the president and stressed her ability to build coalitions and work with whoever is in the White House. Ms. Jorgensen has questioned her opponents why they didn't join her in pledging to leave Congress unless the federal deficit is significantly reduced. Ms. Jorgensen has based her campaign on presenting Liberta-rianism as a desirable alternative to the traditional parties, which say says haven't done enough to rein in a bloated federal government Her top concerns are taxes, education, jobs and the federal debt.

Her solutions revolve around the premise that government has no business providing services that the private sector could provide more efficiently for less money. She has been asked to explain her position on drug legalization, which is part of the Libertarian Party platform, but has said it isn't part of her platform. She said drug legalization is a way to cut drug-related crime by cutting prices and drug dealers' profits. Patterson Inglis Bob Inglis of Greenville describes himself as a conservative Republican like Jack Kemp or Ronald Reagan. Libertarian Jo Jorgensen said her party doesn't really fit in with the left wing-right wing continuum.

Members believe in social freedom like liberals and eco- jorgensen these tQ represent them in the U.S. House for the next two years. The campaign hasn't been especially heated, but the three candidates have become more visible and more vocal as Election Day approaches. As the incumbent, Mrs. Patter South Carolina Congressional Districts Other congressional races in state yHtCj I II IM TVp l.rl.lA 1st District The district runs along the coast from Charleston and its suburbs north to the Grand 'Strand.

national health insurance plan, calling it "a prescription for disaster" that involves too much red tape. 3rd District The district stretches along the Savannah River Valley from Oconee and Pickens counties in the Upstate to the Aiken area. NAME: Arthur Ravenel (R) incumbent employees through higher payroll taxes and shifting of federal aid now going to treatment of the poor. Some costs would be paid by recipients, based on income, and there would be "heavy utilization" of health maintenance organizations. 2nd District The district stretches from Columbia, in Richland County; through Lexington; Aiken; Calhoun; and part of Orangeburg counties.

From there it goes through Barnwell county and down the Savannah River Vally to Jasper and Beaufort counties. AGE: 65 EXPERI ENCE: U.S. House 1987- present; State Sen MM NAME: Butler He agrees military spending must be cut but doesn't have any goal. Benefits for veterans and Social Security should remain untouched, he said. HEALTH CARE: Warns against adoption of "socialized medicine" but says that changes in medical malpractice standards and limits on tax deductions for drug ads, hospital expansion and standard fees for many types of treatment will help hold down costs and make care affordable.

He suggests that much of the paperwork that drives up costs also could be replaced by a common approach designed and supervised by each state. 5th District The district runs along the North Carolina border from Cherokee County, into the Midlands, near Newberry and over to Dillon County. Derrick (D) ate 1981-86; State House 1953-58. AGE: 56 EXPERI County Lines 1st District CZD 2nd District cn 3rd District 4th District EZ3 5th District 1 6th District Ravenel lives ENCE: Con gress 1975 -present; and State House 1969 -1974. He holds sev ting minimum standards for major illnesses.

Patients would be required to pay part oi the bill, based on income. NAME: Floyd Spence (R) incumbent Age: 64 EXPERIENCE: 1971 -present; State Senate 1966-70; State House 1956-62. Spence is one in Motuty Pleasant and is an inves-tor. He serves on the House Armed Services and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committees. ECONOMY: Favors tax credits for business expansion to rejuvenate the economy.

DEFICIT: Back a balanced budget requirement and letting presidents veto spending items individually as further checks on deficit spending. He also favors the current push to cut military spending by 25 percent by 1995. HEALTH CARE: He calls national health insurance inevitable and is flexible on its shape, saying only that it should guarantee "adequate" medical treatment and "incorporate the best features" of plans used in other NAME: James Clyburn (D) AGE: 52 EXPERIENCE: State Human Affairs NAME: John Spratt (D) incumbent AGE: 49 EXPERIENCE: 1983- Spratt is a banker and lawyer, serves on the House Armed Services 1 S3 I if Commissioner 18 years. Clyburn is ECONOMY: Favors more emphasis on job retraining, tax incentives and a government-business partnership to revitalize the economy. DEFICIT: Favors a three-year freeze on medical care costs in federally-subsidized care for the poor and elderly, reductions in foreign aid and cutting the size of federal government, particularly congressional perquisites, to help reduce the deficit.

He wants to charge other nations for American troops stationed there and favors a balanced budget requirement and letting presidents veto spending items selectively. HEALTH CARE: Opposes a national health care effort, saying it means more red tape and higher cost. During the freeze he suggests, officials should look at ways to offer cheaper health care through private means. 6th District The district runs in an arch, inland from the 1st District, from Marion County to Colleton eral leadership posts, including chief deputy whip, that oversee the progress of proposals. He lives in Edgefield.

ECONOMY: Favors tax incentives to encourage business growth and personal savings along with a middle-class income tax reduction. DEFICIT: Calls the deficit the "biggest drag on the economy" and says its reduction should be the focus once the recession ends. He favors cuts in federal spending to accomplish that along with a balanced budget requirement and letting presidents selectively block spending proposals. He calls military spending cuts of up to $100 billion over five years, cost controls in federally medical aid and other types of cuts "far more desirable" than a tax increase to lower the deficit. He also wants to make overseas allies pay more for American troops stationed in their nation.

HEALTH CARE: Calls "cost containment in every aspect" the primary way to make health care more affordable. of the top-ranking members of the House Armed Service Committee and lives near Lexington. ECONOMY: Favors both tax incentives for business and tax reduction overall to help stimulate the economy. DEFICIT: Backs both a balanced budget requirement and letting presidents veto items selectively. While agreeing that reduction in military spending is necessary, he warns against "wholesale cuts" that undermine security and adversely harm the economy.

HEALTH CARE: Does not favor a "cradle to grave approach" for national health insurance but advocates tax incentives for individuals and business to help them provide such care. NAME: Bill Oberst (D) AGE: 31 EXPERIENCE: Cham-b of commerce director. A former broadcaster and local business Committee and lives in York. ECONOMY: Favors improving the economy by cutting the deficit to help lower interest rates. Supports tax incentives for business expansion and would repair roads through bonds paid by a deferred gasoline tax increase.

DEFICIT: Favors some cost controls on federal medical aid for the poor and elderly, delaying some space and scientific research plans, and limiting the growth of social welfare benefits. He favors a gradual scaling back of defense spending over five years. He backs a balanced budget requirement but suggests limits on future spending growth would be more effective. He supports giving presidents expanded authority to cancel approved spending rather than to veto proposals selectively in advance. Health care: Favors a federal health insurance plan that offers restricted coverage for those unable to get it from other sources.

seeking to become the state's first black member of Congress in nearly a century. He won a five-way primary election race, and lives in Columbia. ECONOMY: Favors tax breaks for selected industry to encourage expansion. Would emphasize worker retraining, more public works spending and closing loopholes that encourage firms to move jobs overseas. DEFICIT: Suggests paying the federal deficit off over a decade through cuts and earmarking 25 percent of any military spending reductions to that goal.

To avoid adding to it, he backs a harder look for waste, a ceiling on unspecified social welfare benefits, cutting some federal salaries and higher income taxes on the wealthy of unspecified annual income. If no balanced budget plan can be reached in a year, he would support making it a requirement and giving presidents increased veto controls. Military spending cuts should be accompanied by making foreign nations shoulder more of the cost of American troops stationed within their borders, he said. HEALTH CARE: Favors tax incentives to provide nationwide access to medical care and said some caps may be necessary on benefits in federally-supported medical care for the poor and NAME: John Chase (R) AGE: 39 EXPERIENCE: Florence City Council Chase is a tax attorney, and is making his first try for a seat in NAME: Geb Sommer (L) AGE: 59 EXPERIENCE: Three bids for Congress Sommer is a retired telephone industry engineer who NAME: James Bland (R) AGE: 57 EXPERIENCE: Aiken County Council Bland is a physician-attorney is a member of the Aiken County advocate from Georgetown, he is bidding to be one of the youngest members of Congress ever from South Carolina. This is his first try for a seat in Congress.

ECONOMY: He favors tax incentives and other steps that encourage emerging technology and industrial research, saying business needs "government as a full partner" in the modern economy. DEFICIT: Would cut the federal deficit in half in four years, saying he will not run again if that is not done. Would increase taxes, cut military spending of up to 30 percent spread over five years and reduce social welfare benefits, probably including Social Security. He favors a balanced budget requirement and letting presidents veto spending proposals selectively. HEALTH CARE: Favors a ban on cancellation of health insurance as a result of job loss or per-manent illness.

He would mandate preventative care for I NAME: Bill Home (R) AGE: 54 YSj EXPERI- W'JLI ENCE: Former VI aide to former me Congress after winning a three-person primary. ECONOMY: Would encourage more non-profit efforts to aid business and reduction of regulations. Emphasis also should be placed on retraining workers in the defense industry as military spending is scaled back. DEFICIT: Would cut defense and other areas exclusive of Social Security and medical aid over six years. He opposes any tax increase.

HEALTH CARE: Supports government as the "major risk insurer" ffj health coverage, set- lives in Lexington. ECONOMY: Favors unspecified cuts in taxes and federal regulation to rejuvenate the economy. DEFICIT: He calls a balanced budget requirement a facade that would be circumvented but says that the deficit must be eliminated by cutting spending across-the-board by $100 million annually for four years, particularly in areas related to defense. He opposes tax hikes and favors letting presidents veto items selectively. HEALTH CARE: He opposes a Council and is making his first bid for a seat in Congress.

He lives in Aiken. ECONOMY: Favors simplifying regulations and offering tax incentives to encourage business growth to rejuvenate the economy along with an overhaul of welfare. DEFICIT: The federal deficit should be reduced gradually through unspecified spending reductions, a balanced budget requirement and presidents should be allowed to block individual spending proposals. Gov. Dick Riley Home is the owner of a real A estate and construction firm in Sumter and is making his second bid for a seat in Congress.

Home switched from parties from Democrat to Republican..