WILMINGTON DEL: Former Delaware Governor Pierre Dupont whose name is familiar to many Americans but whose face is not today became the first republican to announce his candidacy for President in 1988.
Speaking to several hundred supporters at a Wilmington hotel bearing his family’s name Dupont supported President Reagan’s graceful confident leadership and set forth his own conservative plans including a proposal to test teenagers for drugs before they are allowed to go to school.
His announcement precedes by one day a media extravaganza in which television evangelist Pat Robertson is expected to declare his interest in the Republican nomination.
From then on the race to succeed Reagan who by law cannot serve more than two four year terms is expected to become crowded.
Such Republican figures as vice President George Bush Senate majority leader Robert Dole New York Congressman Jack Kemp and retiring Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt are among those considering seeking the White House.
Dupont called for heavy fines and jail terms for adult drug users and strongly supported Reagans Star Wars antimissile defence plan.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 26, 1986
