Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 2, 1993 TAG: 9304020282
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
SHULER GETS MUNFORD NOD FOR VA. HOUSE
Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg, has endorsed former Blacksburg Town Councilman Jim Shuler to succeed her in the Virginia House of Delegates.At a news conference in Christiansburg on Thursday, Munford said that Shuler - her friend for many years - would represent her district well, care about business and carry on her tradition of tackling the tough issues.
Munford is relinquishing her 12th District seat at the end of this year to devote more time to her family and business. The district encompasses the northern two-thirds of Montgomery County and eastern Giles County.
Shuler, a 49-year-old veterinarian, formally announced his candidacy at the news conference. He mentioned providing jobs, improving access to education, reforming the health-care system and making government more responsive to people as some of the goals he would like to pursue in the General Assembly.
Attending the news conference was Blacksburg Councilman Waldon Kerns, who earlier had announced his interest in the Democratic nomination.
"I'm out," said Kerns. He said that, because of time pressures, he no longer was considering the nomination. Kerns said he would support Shuler, a longtime friend, and work to get him elected.
In his announcement, Shuler praised Munford.
"Your dedication to the job, and the high standards you set, will make yours a difficult act for anyone to follow," he told her.
Shuler worked on each of Munford's campaigns since 1981 and has been her campaign finance director for her last three campaigns. He said he consulted with Munford, his family and friends before making his decision to run.
A 1966 graduate of Virginia Tech, Shuler has lived in Montgomery County since 1973. He and his wife, Margaret, have a son, Marshall, and a daughter, Laurel, both of whom are in college.
Shuler served on the Blacksburg Council from 1982 through 1988. He serves on the board of the Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce.
"I feel that any representative in government must be able to balance the interests of a community," Shuler said.
Shuler said he knows it will take hard work to get elected. "I grew up on a dairy farm, and let me assure you, I have known about hard work since I was very young," he said.
The number one priority in the New River Valley in the 1990s has to be restoring the economy and providing jobs, Shuler said. "Nothing, other than our health, is more precious to our families than having a secure job."
If Washington cannot offer solutions to the country's health-care problem, the state must, said Shuler, who served eight years on the state Board of Health. "I am convinced that we can do more in preventive medicine and ensuring primary care."
Government should be "responsive to the needs of its citizens and responsible in managing its resources," Shuler said.
Others who have expressed an interest in the Democratic nomination are Cynthia Massie of the Prices Fork section of Montgomery County, County Supervisor Jim Moore of Blacksburg, and Blacksburg lawyer Joe Steffen.
Keywords:
POLITICS