Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 15, 1993 TAG: 9311150086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The Republicans should be celebrating their victories in the governor's and attorney general's races. But instead some fear the Dec. 4 central committee meeting will be marred by party leaders who want to censure the senior U.S. senator, Republican John Warner.
Warner declined to endorse the party's unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor, Mike Farris, despite party rules that officeholders should support the nominee of the party.
Farris, who attributed his loss in part to Warner's lack of support, said he doesn't want to see Warner publicly targeted.
"I hope that doesn't happen. Censuring is not the appropriate response," Farris said.
Farris has hinted that he might challenge Warner for the party's nomination in 1996, when Warner is up for re-election to a fourth term in the Senate.
On Dec. 11 the Democrats will decide how to nominate their candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1994.
Democrats will decide whether to hold a convention or a primary. Many party leaders favor a convention, thinking that process will give them greater control in choosing a candidate.
Others, including Gov. Douglas Wilder, say a primary better reflects popular will. Wilder, whose term expires in January, has said he will challenge incumbent Sen. Charles Robb for the seat.
In winning the election for governor, Republican George Allen exploited the unpopularity of both Democrats. Some Democrats fear neither Robb nor Wilder could win in 1994, particularly after what is expected to be a nasty nominating contest.
So Democrats have begun considering alternatives, including former Gov. Gerald Baliles.
Baliles on Wednesday appeared to remove himself from consideration.
"Let me reiterate that I have no intentions or plans to run for the Senate next year," Baliles wrote in a letter to George Gilliam, the 7th District Democratic chairman.
Other mentioned candidates are state Chairman Mark Warner; Reps. L.F. Payne Jr., D-Nelson County and Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon; activist Dan Alcorn of McLean, and Sylvia Clute, a Richmond lawyer.
Alcorn has begun mailing resumes and attacking Oliver North, the front-runner for the Republican nomination.
Clute last week offered herself as the logical alternative to Wilder or Robb. Party leaders, however, said they know nothing about her, and said they've had no contact with her.
Kenneth V. Geroe, a Virginia Beach lawyer and former 2nd District chairman, said the party should not be "blackmailed" by Wilder into choosing a primary.
Once a primary has been set, it is harder to find an alternative "if the existing candidates don't catch fire," he said.
Also, many Democrats fear that since the state does not have registration by party, Republicans could vote in a primary and influence the outcome.
Paul Goldman, the former Democratic Party chairman and a Wilder political confidant, said Democrats would be making a mistake if they choose a convention.
"It didn't help us in 1993," he said. "People feel like they are not being involved in the process."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB