Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506080058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY AND KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While many Republican candidates are underlining their allegiance to Gov. George Allen's agenda, the maverick Trumbo made a point of saying where he and Allen disagree.
"I've tried not to be a partisan politician in the Senate," said Trumbo, who's expected to be unopposed this fall. "I just don't think or act that way. I vote with the governor when I think he is right - on issues like parole, the 'three strikes' crime legislation and increased economic development - and oppose him when I think he is wrong - on issues like the size of the Cabinet's staff, funding cuts at Radford University and the elimination of local mental health agencies."
But Trumbo didn't abandon party politics altogether. He has emerged as his party's chief parliamentary tactician in the Senate; most notably, he led the rules fight against Democrats that wound up shutting down the General Assembly on its opening day this year.
Trumbo charged that "the leadership in the General Assembly attempted to consolidate its power through a rules change" while he was standing up for "honest, open debate" - and explained why he thought his emphasis on parliamentary procedure was important.
"The manipulation of procedure for political purposes isn't something that is new or unique," he said. "Procedure is a part of the minutiae of politics that has always disinterested the press and the public. To some, it is dry, technical and mundane; but like the coils of a rope, it can constrain or even strangle."
He said he was trying to use his expertise in General Assembly procedure to open up the process and do away with "back-room politics." Trumbo, however, remains in favor of back-roads politics. Even though he's unopposed, he was up at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday to greet workers at the Westvaco paper mill in Covington, the first stop on his daylong tour through a district that runs from Bath County to Giles County.
His campaign literature vowed that he was "going everywhere that's on the map in the 22nd Senate District and some places that aren't."
Also unopposed ...
Chance Crawford announced Wednesday his bid for re-election as clerk of Salem's Circuit Court.
His declaration comes one week before the filing deadline. According to the Salem registrar's office, Crawford, an independent, is the only candidate for the office.
Crawford, 32, became clerk of the Circuit Court in 1990 when a special election was held to fill the unexpired term of former Clerk James Tobey, who had resigned two years into an eight-year term.
The contest for the remaining years of Tobey's term was contentious - with seven candidates vying for the position.
But Crawford, a lifelong Salemite, is something of a local hero.
The Salem High School football star was injured in a game in 1980 and was left partially paralyzed. After the accident, the city rallied around him.
For years, an annual slow-pitch softball tournament was held to help raise money for Crawford's medical expenses.
"I want to be able to work for the city and with the city that has done so much for me," Crawford said.
When Crawford was elected, he was working as an insurance underwriter and had little legal background. "I was always interested in finance and insurance," not law, said Crawford, who got his bachelor's degree in business and finance from Radford University.
During his tenure as clerk, Crawford said, that has changed. He said he has become intrigued by the legal profession and hopes to continue as clerk for years to come.
Last year, he completed the requirements to become a certified circuit court clerk through the University of Virginia's Center for Public Service.
The November election will be for a full eight-year term.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB