University of Virginia Library

Gubernatorial Hopeful Alleges
1972 Election Irregularities

By LIBBY WITHERS

Republican gubernatorial
hopeful Don E. Earman of
Harrisonburg announced
Monday he has issued an
ultimatum to state Republican
Chairman Richard D.
Obenshain to arrange a party
meeting to discuss alleged
improprieties by the Virginia
Finance Committee to Re-elect
the President, organized by G.
Gordon Liddy and headed by
Lawrence Lewis of Richmond.

Mr. Earman, a former
House of Delegates member
and a Lt. Governor hopeful,
said he has given Mr.
Obenshian until noon today to
arrange the meeting, or Mr.
Earman will hold a press
conference tomorrow to
disclose the alleged
improprieties.

Important Information

"I haven't heard a word yet
from Mr. Obenshain – I think
he's going to ignore me," Mr.
Earman said. "I told him I had
some important information
and offered him three
alternatives."

Clarified Misconception

Mr. Earman said his
proposals include "a state
central committee meeting
where I'll give them the
information or get (former
Governor Mills E.) Godwin and
the others involved together
and I'll give them the
information – or I'll give it to
the press."

He also clarified a
misconception about the
committee involved with the
improprieties, stating explicitly
that the Virginia Finance
Committee to Re-elect the
President, is the committee
involved. Erroneous material
reported that the Virginia
Committee to Re-elect the
President headed by Fitzgerald
Bemiss of Richmond was the
committee in question.

Committee's Connection

He said yesterday he wants
to know more about the
committee's connection with
the President's national finance
committee and has asked the
state committee to fully
disclose all campaign finances
and activities.

At a press conference last
week, Mr. Earman charged that
the state finance committee
had been involved in an
organized campaign to send
bogus telegrams to the White
House in support of President
Nixon's Vietnam policies.