ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
George Landrith is an optimist.
Two years ago, he gave Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, the toughest race of his political career, only to lose by 6 percentage points.
And last year, while stumping for General Assembly candidates, Landrith was hospitalized after a serious car crash.
"That means 1996 is going to have to be a great year for us," Landrith said Tuesday, shortly after announcing his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 5th District congressional seat from which Payne is retiring.
The district stretches from Charlottesville to Danville and includes Bedford, most of Bedford County, Franklin County, Henry County, Martinsville and Patrick County. Landrith told a group of Lynchburg Republicans that he wants to deliver a message of optimism, hope and opportunity to Washington. But he had to talk loudly to be heard above the din of machinery on the floor of a Lynchburg circuit-board manufacturing plant. Lynchburg actually is in the neighboring 6th District, but its news outlets cover much of the 5th District.
"I'm running for a simple reason," the Albemarle County lawyer said. "I want to take our values and our common sense to Washington, rather than have them impose their values and their version of common sense on us."
Brandishing a tool belt, Landrith talked about the values he learned working as a carpenter during high school and college. Holding a jar crammed with coins and bills, he talked about his beliefs in thrift and personal responsibility.
As a congressman, he said, he'd support those values by pushing for a balanced budget, spending cuts, lower taxes for middle-class Americans, and smaller government.
So far, it looks as if Landrith will have three challengers for the nomination, which will be decided at a convention May 18 at Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County.
Del. Frank Ruff of Mecklenburg County is expected to announce today in Richmond that he'll run.
Last weekend, Ron Buchanan, a Campbell County businessman who owns a chain of Lynchburg dry-cleaning stores, said he will enter the race.
And Eric Thompson, a United Parcel Service worker from Bedford County, also is considering a bid.
Fifth District Chairman Donivan Edwards said Landrith likely is the front-runner, with Ruff his closest contender. He said that was shown last week when party members chose to have a nominating convention, which Landrith favored, instead of a primary, favored by Ruff supporters.
Landrith's name recognition in the district is high, Edwards said, thanks to his run against Payne. That also should help this fall if Landrith ends up facing state Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount, whose conservatism often has put him at odds with his own party's leadership in Richmond.
Even though political observers say Goode will pull many votes in the tobacco-laden southern part of the district, Edwards said Landrith will be able to stand his ground.
"I don't think the Democratic leaders will let Virgil Goode get anywhere close to tobacco issues. [California's Democratic Rep.] Henry Waxman is against tobacco. The whole Democratic Party's very anti-tobacco right now. I think George will do a much better job representing tobacco farmers."
In Richmond, Goode disputed suggestions that, as a Democrat, he'd lack influence in a Congress dominated by Republicans.
"I think a few other factors need to be considered," he said. "Who would work the hardest? And who has the legislative experience? The experience is very important."
Will Clark, a member of Liberty University's College Republicans, attended Landrith's announcement.
"We're really glad to see him return," Clark said. "He's the type of conservative we can really back.
"He's a social conservative, but he's also a fiscal conservative, and that rings a bell in a lot of people's ears today, with all the talk about the flat tax and tax reform. He also supports a strong defense.
"Those are the kinds of things we like to hear."
Staff writer Robert Little contributed to this report.
GEORGE LANDRITH
Seeking Republican nomination for Congress
Age: 35
Occupation: Landrith, a lawyer, works out of his Albemarle County home.
Education: Undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Utah; law degree from the University of Virginia.
Political background: Former member of Albemarle County School Board; unsuccessful candidate for Congress in 1994.
On the issues:
On a balanced budget: "We need to make sure we live within our means, not by raising taxes, but through spending cuts. Additionally, we have to cut taxes and make sure working people take more of their paycheck home."
On welfare: "When I get up there, I'm not going to talk about it like Clinton does. I'm going to do something about it."
On eliminating big government: "We need to get government off our backs, out of our hair and out of our face, and out of our wallets and pocketbooks."
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP/Daily Progress. Albemarle County lawyer Georgeby CNBLandrith announces from his home that he plans to seek the
Republican nomination for the 5th District congressional seat. Next
to him are his wife Laura and three of his four children. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS