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BORN: Feb. 19, 1920, Trare, Iowa EDUCATION: U of California, Berkeley, 1946-48; U of Nebraska, J.D., 1952 FAMILY: Wife, Margaret; two children RELIGION: Unitarian MILITARY: Air Force, 1942-45 OCCUPATION: Law professor POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for U.S. House, 1988 ADDRESS: 24096 Bisig Road, Rodman 13682. Tel.: 315-232-2140
One thing the 76-year-old Ravenscroft can't be accused of is running for office with no idea of what he'll do when he gets there. In 1995 he and his wife penned the Handbook for Voters and Liberal Democratic Candidates, a 106-page tome that says government-funded college education, universal health care, a minimum wage above the poverty level and a fair tax on net income will help the economy and create a more egalitarian society.
THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "For true democracy, I believe that government decisions must be made on the merits, not on how much money was paid to the decision maker."
MARTY MACK (D) District 25 (Central--Syracuse)
BORN: March 15, 1953, Cortland EDUCATION: Cornell U, B.S., 1975; State U of New York, Cortland, M.A.T., 1976; U of South Carolina, J.D., 1979 FAMILY: Wife, Lee Scott; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Cortland County attorney, 1984-87; mayor of Cortland, 1988-91 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 6070, Syracuse 13217. Tel.: 315-479-6225 When Mack addressed the Democratic convention in August as a warm-up speaker for Jesse Jackson, few delegates knew who he was. By the end of the speech, with conventioneers cheering, Mack had made a name for himself and earned endorsements from Democratic heavies Geraldine Ferraro and Secretary of Housing and Human Services Donna Shalala. Mack may have a better chance than the powerful incumbent would like to admit.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "As Speaker of the House Foley taught us two years ago, anybody can be beat."
JAMES WALSH (R) District 25
BORN: June 19, 1947, Syracuse EDUCATION: St. Bonaventure U, B.A., 1970 FAMILY: Wife, DeDe; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Marketing executive; social worker POLITICAL CAREER: Syracuse common council, 1978-88; U.S. House, 1988- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1974, Syracuse 13201. Tel.: 315-471-9154
Walsh broke G.O.P. ranks this year to support the minimum-wage hike--as he did in 1993, when he was one of only three Republicans to support President Clinton's economic-stimulus package. However, opponent Marty Mack is aggressively campaigning to link him to Newt Gingrich, citing as proof of servitude Walsh's agreement with the Speaker on 90% of votes. Walsh has enjoyed solid support in the past three elections, but this race may be tougher.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)