ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
Eric Thompson wants a government by the people and for the people, not just for the politicians.
That's why the self-described blue-collar United Parcel Service worker from Bedford County said Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 5th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I understand what it means to be up at the crack of dawn to be at work at 3 in the morning, just like I did this morning," Thompson said in a news conference in the Bedford County Courthouse. "I am not a professional politician. I am a hard-working citizen just like every other citizen in the 5th District.
"I am here because I believe we must return the power to the people. We must get more citizens involved in government."
His will be a grass-roots campaign, said Thompson, who has never run for office or been actively involved in the Republican Party. A Pittsburgh native and former retail manager, Thompson moved to Virginia in 1985, living in Richmond before settling in Bedford County in 1993.
Flanked by his wife and their four young children, Thompson told a small group of supporters that he is pro-gun, pro-business and pro-labor, against abortion, and in favor of a smaller federal government and lower taxes. Thompson, a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church in Bedford, said his strong, conservative values are founded on his faith.
Chris Lister, a Bedford-area contractor, came with his wife and baby daughter to listen to Thompson's speech.
"I built Eric's house about a year and a half ago," Lister said. "We agree a lot as far as our views on the foundations of this country. I'm also a Christian, and working for him, I really grew to appreciate his values."
Republican Party leaders say Albemarle County lawyer George Landrith is the front-runner for the nomination, since he came close to defeating Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, in the 1994 election. Payne is retiring from Congress. That has opened up the competition for his seat. The 5th District stretches from Charlottesville to Danville and includes Bedford, most of Bedford County, Franklin County, Martinsville, Henry County and Patrick County.
Democrats appear likely to nominate state Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount, who so far is unopposed for that party's nomination.
Republicans may wind up with four candidates, but party leaders brush aside bids by Thompson and Campbell County businessman Ron Buchanan, saying that Landrith's only serious competition will come from Del. Frank Ruff, R-Mecklenburg County.
After all, Republicans say, Landrith and Ruff are both longtime active party members.
Landrith is well known in the district and in his home area, having run for Congress and held an appointed seat on the Albemarle County School Board. He has a campaign war chest, and among his advisers is a protege of University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato.
Ruff, meanwhile, has the advantage of being a state legislator, with the name recognition, political contacts and fund-raising expertise that go with it.
However, Thompson says he can persevere.
"I feel I am more closely related to the people" than Landrith or Ruff, Thompson said. "I live and work in this community. I share the same values, and I believe because of that, I offer a greater representation to the community."
Thompson would not rule out running as an independent if he doesn't win the GOP nomination. He says it probably won't get to that, though. He said he's getting his message out to fellow Republicans and building support through door-to-door contacts and meetings such as a Republican dinner in Charlottesville he recently attended.
But when asked about Thompson, Republican Party leaders sound perplexed.
"No one knows him," said Bedford County Republican Party Chairman Robert Pauley Jr. "None of the people I've talked to who are regulars in the Republican Party know who he is."
Pauley said he has never spoken to Thompson.
"I don't know a thing in the world about him. He sounds like he's very intelligent and very aware of the issues and has more than a surface understanding, but I've never heard of the fellow."
Fifth District Republican Chairman Donivan Edwards of Henry County sounds equally baffled. He said Thompson hasn't contacted him, and he doesn't know of any other party leaders in the district who have met with Thompson.
"I just don't know anything about him other than what I read in the paper," Edwards said. "If he contacts me, I'll be glad to talk with him."
Thompson isn't alone in his lack of party involvement, Pauley said. "I think there are literally thousands of Republicans out there who have never had anything to do with the official Republican Party. You can see that at the voting booth. People have differing levels of commitment."
But, Pauley added, "I know if I were running for something, I certainly wouldn't ignore the party structure. I would think it would be helpful in the nomination to be involved with the party, even if you're not a dues-paying member."
However, Lister, the contractor, said, "I'm not real politically knowledgeable, but I would say people are ready for a change. Anyone who's willing to step forward and run will have a good chance."
ERIC THOMPSON
Seeking Republican nomination for Congress
Age: 34 (will be 35 in two weeks)
Political background: None.
Employment: Pre-load team leader at United Parcel Service in Lynchburg.
Education: Working on a bachelor's degree in government at Liberty University.
Family: Wife, Pam, a physical therapist. Four children: Kyle, 9; Matthew, 7; Caitlyn, 5; and Emily, 4.
Thompson on the issues:
On tax reform: "Instead of the federal government pickpocketing your paycheck before you even get it, I want to return hard-earned money back to the citizens."
On abortion: "I am fully pro-life and I am very proud of it, and I intend to go to Washington and fight for the sanctity of life. I will speak out against abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, murder."
On economic development and free trade: "It's important to understand I am not a protectionist. I believe in America first, but I do not believe in closing our borders to foreign products. I believe in free trade, but we must also give our businesses an incentive to stay in business here in Virginia and across the United States."
LENGTH: Long : 132 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: LAURA M. KLEINHENZ/Staff. Eric Thompson, a United Parcelby CNBService worker from Bedford County, announces his candidacy Tuesday
at the Bedford County Courthouse. From left are his wife, Pam, and
children Emily, 4; Matthew, 7; Kyle, 9; and Caitlyn, 5. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS