
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103280492
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BELL STILL UNDECIDED ON STATE SENATE RACE

Brandon Bell has received an encouraging response to his possible candidacy for the state Senate, but has not made a decision on running, according to the chairman of his exploratory campaign committee.

"I feel good about the way things are going. It has been very encouraging," said Robert Goodlatte, a Roanoke lawyer who heads the committee.

Bell, a leader in the unsuccessful campaign to consolidate Roanoke and Roanoke County last year, is considering challenging state Sen. Granger Macfarlane in November.

An exploratory committee was established earlier this month to determine political and financial support for him.

Goodlatte said Bell has not set a deadline for deciding if he will run.

Macfarlane said he will seek re-election and would welcome a challenge.

Bell, 32, is chairman of the Roanoke County Republican Committee. He is a computer sales representative for Hewlett-Packard Co. and a graduate of Mississippi State University.

Bell has not run for public office previously, but he was chairman of Citizens for Governmental Excellence, the group that spearheaded the petition drive supporting the merger of the city and county.

by CNB