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

DATE: FRIDAY, February 3, 1995                   TAG: 9502030053
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SUPERVISOR WON'T RUN FOR SENATE

Roanoke County Supervisor Bob Johnson won't run for the state Senate this fall. His decision could clear the way for Roanoke Vice Mayor John Edwards to become the Democrats' choice to oppose Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County.

Johnson said he decided last week that he wouldn't have time to run because he recently left his job as president of HCMF Real Estate to set up his own real estate company, Realstar.

``I can't at this point in my life be a candidate,'' Johnson said. ``I have commitments I've got to fulfill ... Being a firm believer in predestination, as a good Presbyterian, this wasn't meant to be.''

Roanoke Valley Democrats had nervously watched during the past few months as Johnson and Edwards appeared on a collision course for their party's nomination, a potentially divisive struggle that could have split along city-county lines.

Former state Sen. Granger Macfarlane also has held himself out as a potential candidate.

Macfarlane said Thursday that he has not made a final decision but was inclined not to run. ``It appears to me they have settled on one candidate,'' he said, referring to Edwards.

In recent weeks, party activists had picked up indications that Johnson either was losing interest in running or was finding himself distracted by his new business venture.

Edwards, who has been laying the organizational groundwork for a campaign, is expected to announce his candidacy Wednesday.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB