* Candidate for Dec. 17 Special Election **
** Promises to Oppose Tax Increases **

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) applauds candidate for Virginia Delegate Tim Hugo for signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by ATR.

· Mr. Hugo signed the pledge on November 24, 2002 promising "to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes."

· The special election for the Virginia Delegate seat 40 is scheduled for December 17, 2002. The 40th district\’s delegate represents parts of Centreville and Fairfax Station.

· No other candidate for this seat\’s special election has signed the pledge this year.

Having signed the Pledge, Mr. Hugo joins 1,279 other state legislators, 8 Governors, 212 Members of the U.S. House, 37 U.S. Senators, and President George W. Bush, all of whom have also signed a similar pledge.

"Tim Hugo demonstrates loyalty and dedication to the interests of taxpayers in the 40th district, as well as all Virginians, by signing the Pledge," commented Grover Norquist, President of ATR. "The Pledge is a useful tool for taxpayers to determine which lawmakers represent their interests and which will tax-and-spend until the end. Thank you, Tim Hugo, for standing up for taxpayers."