ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070025
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO AP. TATE SEN.
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
Even as 5th District Democrats rally behind state Sen. Virgil Goode's bid for Congress, Republicans look to be facing a nomination fight.
Albemarle County lawyer George Landrith said earlier this month that he would seek the Republican nomination for the seat held by Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County. Landrith lost to Payne by just a 6-percent margin in the conservative-leaning district in 1994, so many party leaders were saying the nomination would be his for the taking.
But that was before Monday, when, just hours after Payne announced his retirement, Del. Frank Ruff, R-Mecklenburg County, said he would probably run, as well.
He wasn't alone, either. A virtual political outsider, United Parcel Service worker Eric Thompson of Bedford County, said he also is planning to seek the GOP nomination. Thompson has never held public office or a party post.
The 5th District Republican Committee will meet Saturday to decide whether to hold a primary or a nominating convention. A nominee could emerge as early as mid-May.
Generally, though, Republicans say they don't think a nomination battle will hurt their chances at taking the historically Democratic seat.
Landrith and Ruff "come from different parts of the district, they're both good, conservative Republicans, so our attitude is 'let the best man win,''' said Republican Party of Virginia Executive Director David Johnson.
A contested nomination could help mobilize Republicans early, Johnson said, adding, "party nominations rarely hurt us. [Landrith and Ruff] are both of outstanding character and, no doubt, the loser will support the winner. That's what party nominations are for."
Back in 1988, after the death of longtime Rep. Dan Daniel, D-Danville, it was a different story.
Republicans fought a bitter battle for the nomination that split the party's allegiances between former White House aide Linda Arey and then-state Sen. Onico Barker of Danville; Arey emerged the nominee, but, with Republicans divided, lost badly to Payne.
This time, however, party leaders think a friendly challenge won't hurt the party. They also say Landrith, thanks to his recent run for Congress, is better known across the district than Ruff.
"I think Mr. Landrith will definitely be the front-runner in a nomination battle," said 5th District Republican Chairman Donivan Edwards of Martinsville. "He's got a good network of support already, and I just feel he's far and away in the front."
Landrith himself said that he and Ruff are friends and he doesn't think a nomination challenge will hurt his own chances. But Landrith added, "any nomination battle has the potential to hurt the party, particularly when you have a candidate who is obviously the front-runner, and somebody comes along and tears them down."
Ruff, who owns a furniture store in Clarksville and first was elected to the General Assembly in 1993, said he and Landrith both have some strong points. But he said he can offer Republicans more experience than Landrith, whose only service in public office has been a stint as an appointee to the Albemarle County School Board.
Bigger than the contest between the Republicans, though, is the expected contest with the Democratic nominee in November.
Republicans find themselves wondering how they'll mount a campaign against Goode, an avowed conservative who often votes with Republicans in the General Assembly and who Republicans have been trying to get to switch parties for years.
Many of Goode's campaign stands sound almost identical to those of 5th District Republicans: lower tax burdens for working families, a balanced budget, less spending, and protection for farmers.
"I don't think that the strategy will be to distinguish myself from the positions [Goode's] taken and the ones I've taken," Ruff said. "In many cases, they've been the same."
"The greatest strength I would have is that I would be in the mainstream of the majority party in Congress, and [Goode] would be in the minority party. If it comes to getting appointments that would represent the interests of tobacco and manufacturing, I'd be in a far better position."
Landrith said he likely will take a similar tack, running more against the Democratic Party than Goode.
Johnson, with the state Republican Party, said he's hoped for years that Goode would become a Republican, but if Goode chooses to run as a Democrat, then "he must be beaten."
"The bottom line for the House of Representatives is whose team are you on?" Johnson said. "Virgil has two choices: vote conservative and be totally irrelevant, or vote liberal and get power."
But Albemarle County Republican Party Chairman John Dawson said, "He'll be tough to be beat. ... I'd rather face someone else.
"I wish he'd run for the Republicans. Maybe an independent liberal will run and split the vote, but I wouldn't bet on it."
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