Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 19, 1990 TAG: 9003192630
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"Don Beyer is certainly a very viable alternative" for the Democratic nomination for the state's top office in 1993, said Sen. Joseph Benedetti, R-Richmond, who lost to Terry by a wide margin in November.
Terry sought re-election as attorney general rather than oppose then-Lt. Gov. Douglas Wilder for the Democratic nomination for governor. Wilder won the governorship, leading the ticket with Beyer and Terry.
Beyer, in his first bid for elective office, was considered an underdog in the campaign, but he defeated Republican Sen. Eddy Dalton of Henrico.
"He's done fantastically," said Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews of Hampton, who guided Beyer through the Senate's sometimes arcane procedures during the 1990 session that ended Saturday.
"For someone who came into this session with no previous government experience, he had caught on more quickly than anyone I've served with," Andrews said.
Even Dalton, widow of former Gov. John Dalton, who also served as lieutenant governor, credited Beyer with performing well and treating Republicans fairly.
Beyer voted only twice during the session, each time breaking a tie to approve a bill to ensure distribution of property to a disinherited spouse. The measure did not draw much public interest.
Terry, meantime, had a perfect mark at the session. All of the legislation she proposed was passed. Her bills included environmental measures and proposals to increase penalties for drunken drivers, among others. But her success may have been overshadowed by a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department over Virginia Military Institute's policy of excluding women as full-time students.
Terry has vowed a vigorous defense of VMI's all-male admissions policy, and that could have a political price among women voters who "feel she should have stayed out of it," said Sen. Emilie Miller, D-Fairfax.
Sen. Clive DuVal, D-Fairfax, said he doubts Beyer will challenge Terry in 1993. Instead, DuVal said, Beyer might run for a second term as lieutenant governor and position himself for the 1997 gubernatorial race.
"If I were he, I might stay here seven years and make damn sure that everybody in the state gets to shake my hand," DuVal said.
Beyer dismissed talk about a rivalry with Terry. She has worked "long and hard" for the opportunity to run for governor, he said. "My responsibility is to keep my campaign pledges. I'll let history take care of itself."
by CNB