WILDER'S SON WON'T SEEK 2ND TERM

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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 2, 1993                   TAG: 9304020090
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium
WILDER'S SON WON'T SEEK 2ND TERM
Del. Larry Wilder, the son of Gov. Douglas Wilder, unexpectedly announced Thursday that he will not seek a second term in the House of Delegates.
Wilder, a Democrat who was elected last May, said he wanted to devote more time to his law practice and his family. He is getting married next month.
"I realized that, in the near future, I would be faced with not enough time to give proper attention to my legislative duties," said Wilder, 31.
"It was not a disillusionment at all with anything, in particular politics," he said. "It was more a realization and just a very candid assessment of the time commitments necessary."
Wilder said he may return to politics before long, either to run again for the General Assembly or some other office.
"I certainly have an interest in elected office," he said.
He said he knew of no opposition for his 70th District seat, which covers parts of Richmond and Henrico County and has a majority black population.
Wilder won the seat in a special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of Roland Ealey.
The governor's son kept a low profile during the 46-day legislative session that ended in February. He introduced three minor bills. One was killed in committee and two passed with little opposition.
Richmond Democratic Chairman Jim Nachman said he was surprised by Wilder's withdrawal.
"I've already got people out there trying to find a good candidate," he said. Candidates have until April 9 to file for the June 8 primary.
Nachman said Wilder still could have a bright future in politics despite leaving the assembly after only a year.
"He'd be good for running for just about any office," he said.
Mark Franko, city GOP chairman, said Republicans have a good chance of winning the seat with Wilder out of the race.
Still, he added, "I was kind of looking forward to taking on the governor's son."
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB