ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Rick Boucher, the 14-year Democratic congressman from Abingdon, may have competition this fall.
Davey Stanley of Wythe County, who organized the Veterans for North group in the 1994 U.S. Senate campaign, and former Del. Barnes Lee Kidd of Tazewell County say they are considering seeking their party's nomination at the May 11 GOP convention in Wytheville.
If so, it would give Boucher his third consecutive challenger since 9th District Republicans granted him an uncontested re-election in 1990.
Boucher has never gone unchallenged in a presidential election year. Gary Waddell, the 9th District GOP chairman, said a third potential candidate has expressed interest privately but isn't ready yet to go public.
Both Stanley and Kidd have told party members in recent weeks that they're considering bids. But both men say they haven't yet made up their minds.
"I'm a firm believer in the idea that no candidate should run unopposed," Kidd said. "I unseated a 12-year incumbent that way two years ago, and I can't see anything different from Mr. Boucher. He can be replaced, too."
Kidd, who lost his House seat last fall to John Tate of Marion, said he will decide within a month. His announcement at a Feb. 11 GOP meeting in Wytheville surprised some party regulars.
On the other hand, Stanley has had discussions with party activists about running over the past year. One even prepared blue "Draft Davey" stickers for a GOP dinner last week in Lee County.
"I am giving it some serious consideration," Stanley said.
A retired Army lieutenant colonel and semi-retired lawyer, Stanley said he would make a decision by early March. "One of my driving reasons for running, if I run, is that I think that the treatment that the veterans are receiving in this country is a disgrace," he said.
Boucher, as in past years, said Tuesday that he's focusing on his congressional work, not the upcoming election. He typically doesn't go public with his campaign until the spring Democratic convention; this year's is scheduled for May 11 in Abingdon.
"I haven't made any announcement yet," Boucher said. "When the time for announcement comes, nobody is going to be surprised."
Republicans in the 9th District, which runs from Big Stone Gap to western Roanoke County, have wanted to topple Boucher ever since he upset an 18-year Republican congressman, William Wampler Sr., in 1982.
His closest call came two years later when Boucher narrowly defeated an experienced state delegate from Pearisburg. But ever since, Boucher has held the advantage in name recognition, campaign funds and ultimately votes, over his three subsequent opponents. Boucher won easily in 1994 - a tough year for many Democrats - against Steve Fast, a mathematics professor from Bluefield.
Already, Boucher again has assembled a formidable campaign treasury. He reported raising $196,089 last year and having a balance of $359,492 as of Jan. 31, according to federal campaign finance reports.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB