Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9003142553
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROB EURE POLITICAL WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
He faced the normal challenges of a new member to learn the process and personalities in the legislature, but Stump also had to live down some of their expectations that he would be a jackrock-throwing upstart.
Stump, 42, a United Mine Workers district president, came to the legislature by beating longtime Democratic Del. Don McGlothlin of Buchanan County in a write-in campaign. McGlothlin's friends viewed Stump skeptically.
But as the session ended last week, Stump appeared to have proved his new colleagues wrong.
Stump was the traditional freshman in the House, speaking infrequently and carrying few bills. But in the politics of the legislature, Stump acquitted himself well, according to several leading Democrats.
"Jackie is a very wily, shrewd and savvy politician," said Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton. "He was very attentive to his Democratic contacts and very businesslike when reviewing legislation."
"He has been well informed on all the bills," said Del. Earl Dickinson, D-Louisa, who chairs the House Roads and Internal Navigation Committee, on which Stump serves.
Dickinson said he saw no resentment toward Stump on that committee, even though the freshman ousted its chairman by defeating McGlothlin.
There were some rough spots. Although he ran as an independent, Stump wanted badly to be included in the Democratic Caucus. That membership is important because without party membership, a delegate does not gain seniority. Also, the Democrats choose judges and receive legislative briefings as a group.
But Stump, who is a Democrat and plans to run as one next time, found that the way to impress senior party leaders was to act like a Democrat, even if they did not formally recognize him as one.
He sold more tickets to the caucus fund-raiser than any other member of the House. He also was the only non-Democrat to contribute to the House Democratic Caucus fund.
And Stump bought a ticket to the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner for Democrats in January, where he was the only legislator who was not introduced.
"He has voted consistently with the Democrats and proven to be a team player," said Del. J. Jack Kennedy, D-Norton, Stump's deskmate on the House floor. "Jackie has shattered the stereotype that everyone cast him in before he arrived here. They figured he came down here prepared to repeal the right-to-work law."
In fact, Stump never entered a labor-oriented debate.
Although he was deeply involved with his union in the 10-month strike against Pittston Coal Group, his only remarks on the floor about the strike was a joyful announcement last month that the union had approved the negotiated contract.
That day, Stump wore a tie made of camouflage material - the uniform adopted by striking miners. His Richmond office is decorated with several statues of miners and a wall-mounted likeness of UMW founder John L. Lewis. But Stump avoided the mold of a rebellious union boss.
Stump never made a point of his labor orientation in the conservative General Assembly. Even when he announced his campaign, he said, that was never his intent.
"I've got a fairly good handle on who is pro and con labor," Stump said. But he said he found the legislature was more sympathetic to some of the problems laborers face than he expected.
"Generally, they look at safety and health issues. They look more closely at that than a lot of people give 'em credit for," Stump said.
He said he is not interested in preaching on labor concerns to the legislature. "There are ways to work without trying to draw all the attention on you," Stump said. "I tried to shed that."
Stump said he learned a lot from the legislative work. "The biggest hurdle for me was this business of rushing from one work to another. It's kind of tough to figure out how things fit into the puzzle."
Stump said he was particularly confounded by some of the issues facing Northern Virginia that required legislative action. "Not being used to fast growth, it's hard dealing with some of the things in the northern area of the state," he said.
But he took to heart the advice given freshman delegates.
"Everybody tells you to just listen and learn the first year, and when you give your word to somebody that you will support them, stick with it."
Stump introduced two bills, both relating to coal. One measure, allowing a local road advisory board to make road-building recommendations on a majority vote instead of a unanimous one, passed the House 98-1 but died in Senate committee.
"That's just politics," Stump said.
His measure consolidating the Mine Safety Board and the Coal and Safety Advisory Committee into a nine-member Safety Board passed both chambers.
Stump gained seats on two of the three committees to which he sought assignment. House Speaker A.L. Philpott put Stump on Mines and Mineral Resources and the roads panel. Stump asked for the Labor and Commerce Committee but was assigned instead to the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, which reviews many important bills.
Stump, the son of a preacher, was raised in Southwest Virginia and enlisted in the Air Force when he was one credit shy of a high school diploma.
After four years in the service as a jet-engine mechanic, including 18 months in Vietnam, Stump left the service in 1971 with the rank of staff sergeant.
Stump went to work for Island Creek Coal Co. in 1972 and entered UMW District 28 politics in 1979. He became the district president in 1987.
Stump, who announced his write-in candidacy 11 days before the election, beat McGlothlin by 2-1. He intends to run for re-election next year. Stump's 4th House District covers all of Buchanan County and a portion of northwest Tazewell County.
He is divorced and lives with his mother at Keen Mountain in Buchanan County.
Kennedy said he has little doubt that Stump will return to Richmond. "Jackie received broad-based support. I think he's in the legislature for the long run," Kennedy said.
Keywords:
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