ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY AND MATTHEW DOBIAS STAFF WRITERS
FRANK RUFF has become the second Republican to announce his candidacy for the congressional seat being vacated by L.F. Payne. As many as four may seek the party's nomination.
On the first quiet workday in an intensive lawmaking week at the state Capitol, Del. Frank Ruff took time out to say he'd like to move up to the U.S. Capitol.
The Mecklenburg County furniture store owner officially entered the race for the GOP nomination for the 5th District seat in Congress, emphasizing his conservative credentials while stressing that he's done something his main rival hasn't: He's won elections.
Ruff also hit what are expected to be standard themes for any candidate - Republican or Democrat - in the predominantly rural district that sprawls across Southside Virginia and includes Bedford, most of Bedford County, Franklin County, Henry County, Martinsville and Patrick County.
He's pro-tobacco. He's pro-gun. And he's anti-Washington.
Ruff, who's now in his second term in the General Assembly, becomes the second of what could be as many as four Republicans seeking their party's nomination for the seat being vacated by the retiring Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County.
On Tuesday, Albemarle County lawyer George Landrith, who lost to Payne two years ago, made his campaign official.
Two lesser-known contenders also have expressed an interest in running but haven't made formal announcements - Ron Buchanan of Campbell County, who owns a chain of Lynchburg dry-cleaning stores, and United Parcel Service worker Eric Thompson of Bedford County.
Party leaders say Landrith and Ruff are likely the most serious contenders at the moment - Landrith, because of his name recognition, and Ruff, because of his legislative experience. Landrith has strong ties to conservative activists across the district who often dominate nominating contests, and Ruff seemed eager Wednesday to emphasize his conservatism on social issues, as well.
He used his announcement speech at the state Capitol to declare his support for a federal income tax cut, and assail "the liberal elite in Washington," which he said has "tried to force-feed us their liberal values."
These unnamed elites, he said, "believe that religion has no place in the public square, and they believe morality has no place in politics. They are wrong, wrong and wrong again."
Ruff also fired what is expected to be a key Republican line of attack against state Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount, the likely Democratic nominee. The conservative Goode is well known as a defender of tobacco farmers, a key constituency in Southside. But Ruff said it was important to the tobacco industry that Republicans maintain their control of Congress.
He said that Democrats, led by President Clinton and California Rep. Henry Waxman, had "declared war on Virginia's tobacco farmers, warehousers and manufacturers," staging "inquisitions" that a GOP-controlled Congress has since halted.
"Make no mistake about it: If the Democrats are returned to power in the House of Representatives, it will be open season again on Virginia's tobacco growers,'' Ruff said. "This will be a central issue in my campaign for Congress. ... We cannot allow the Democrats to turn back the clock."
However, before he can face Goode, Ruff first must fend off Landrith and the other GOP contenders. With that in mind, Ruff emphasized what is expected to be his strong suit in the nomination battle - he's won elections; Landrith hasn't.
"I have twice defeated a millionaire Democrat and the well-funded Democratic machine ... " Ruff said, referring to his two campaigns for the House of Delegates, in which he toppled longtime House leader Lew Parker in 1993 and beat back Parker in a rematch last fall. "Most importantly, I have learned how to build winning coalitions."
Republicans will pick their nominee at a May 18 convention in Bedford County, and the prospect of a bruising nomination battle worries some party leaders - who remember how a bitter nomination fight in 1988 split the party and made things easier for the Democrats to retain the seat the last time it was open.
"In most people's minds, that sealed L.F.'s victory," said Franklin County Republican Party Chairman Carthan Currin. "Senator Goode is a formidable political force in this region and the 5th District, so we need to be united."
Nevertheless, Currin said he foresaw a spirited but gentlemanly contest this time. Currin also predicted a nomination campaign that won't split cleanly along ideological lines.
Instead, he said regional differences - Landrith is from the northern end of the district, Ruff from the southern - could play a major part.
FRANK RUFF
Seeking Republican nomination for Congress
Age: 46
Residence: Mecklenburg County.
Occupation: Owns furniture store in Clarksville.
Education: University of Richmond
Personal: Married, four children.
Political background: First Republican elected to Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors; unsuccessful candidate for state Senate in 1991; elected to House of Delegates in 1993.
On the issues:
On taxes: "You can count on me to work with the Republican leadership to cut federal income taxes."
On values: "I support complete defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts. I support school choice and vouchers. I support ending the marriage penalty in our tax code, and I am pro-life."
On tobacco: "In 1992, Bill Clinton and Henry Waxman declared war on Virginia's tobacco farmers, warehousers and manufacturers. They staged inquisitions and called them hearings. ... The new Republican majority stopped the inquisitions and constant attacks on tobacco. ... We cannot allow the Democrats to turn back the clock."
LENGTH: Long : 118 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Del. Frank Ruff announces his candidacy as hisby CNBdaughter, Genevieve, 2, gazes around the room during a news
conference Wednesday. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS