ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 1996 TAG: 9602060085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DANVILLE
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
CITING A DESIRE to spend more time with his family and return to the private sector, the Nelson County Democrat announced Monday that he's retiring from Congress - a decision that has set off a political stampede, with candidates interested in his seat lining up like horses in the starting gate.
Rep. L.F. Payne never intended to make Congress a career.
He made good on his word Monday, announcing that he's retiring from the House of Representatives at the end of this year's session.
Payne, with his wife, Susan, by his side, made the announcement at a news conference in icy Danville, the heart of Payne's 5th Congressional District. The district stretches from Charlottesville to Halifax County, and includes Bedford, Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties and the city of Martinsville.
The Nelson County Democrat, 50, said many things played a part in his decision, including a desire to spend more time with his family and return to the private sector.
"But it's important to know that I'm not seeking re-election because I'm mad at somebody. It's been a wonderful opportunity," said Payne, who owns the Wintergreen ski resort in Nelson County and first won election to Congress in 1988 following the death of longtime Rep. Dan Daniel.
Susan Payne said the phone was ringing off the hook over the weekend. Most of the calls were from Payne's cohorts in Congress - including Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich - asking him to stay in Washington, she said.
However, many Democratic leaders said they believe Payne will run for lieutenant governor next year as a way to position himself for a run at the governorship in 2001.
Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, the likely Democratic candidate for governor next year, "clearly wants Payne on the ticket," University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato said. "He thinks having Payne on the ticket will deliver rural voters, and certainly rural voters have never gone for Beyer in a great way."
Beyer himself agreed Monday that Payne "would bring a rural voice to the Democratic ticket" but stopped short of an endorsement.
Payne said he has no plans to run again for public office, but he did leave the door ajar, saying, "I can't tell you what I'll be doing in January of 1997."
No matter what Payne decides to do - Susan Payne said he's even mentioned the possibility of the couple's living in Europe for a while - one of his supporters said he'll be missed in Congress.
"It's sad," said Carolyn Beale of Martinsville. "But I'm not surprised. He said when he was elected that he wasn't going to stay in there forever."
Payne's announcement set off a political stampede Monday in the 5th District and in Richmond.
Just hours after Payne made his decision public, candidates interested in his seat were lining up like horses in the starting gate.
State Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount, scheduled a news conference for 8:30 this morning in which he's expected to announce that he's running for Congress.
"I am interested," Goode said Monday.
Other Democrats were mentioned as candidates for Payne's seat.
"Part of winning is getting behind a candidate early on," said Del. Whitt Clement, D-Danville.
Republican candidates for the seat numbered three by day's end.
Albemarle County lawyer George Landrith, who lost to Payne two years ago, said earlier this month that he is running again. About an hour after Payne's announcement, Landrith sent out an official news release declaring his candidacy.
Monday afternoon, Del. Frank Ruff of Mecklenburg County said he may challenge Landrith for the Republican nomination. A local Republican chairman in the 5th District said Ruff is telling party leaders that he plans to run.
There's also Eric Thompson, an employee with United Parcel Service in Lynchburg. The 34-year-old Bedford County resident announced Monday that he's vying for the Republican nomination, something he says he has been planning since 1994.
Thompson says he is a conservative who believes that "we must re-establish the constitutional limitations on the federal government and restore the rights of states and local governments."
Payne's retirement also caused a domino effect of speculation about candidates who would run for Goode's seat if he is elected to Congress.
Two Henry County delegates, Democrats Ward Armstrong and Roscoe Reynolds, said Monday they would be interested in Goode's seat.
On the Republican side, Del. Allen Dudley of Rocky Mount is being mentioned as a possible candidate for the state Senate seat.
If Dudley opts to stay where he is, Franklin County Republican Party Chairman Carthan Currin said he would consider a run for the seat.
There was even speculation Monday about Currin running against former Franklin County Democratic Party chairman Eric Ferguson for Dudley's house seat - if Dudley were to take over Goode's Senate seat.
"It's getting wilder and wilder," said Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. "Quint" Overton, who talked to Goode and Ward Armstrong by phone Monday afternoon.
Staff writers Richard Foster and David M. Poole contributed to this story.
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) color. Graphic: Chart: Rep. L.F. Payne.by CNBcolor. KEYWORDS: POLITICS