ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 7, 1996 TAG: 9611070069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON AND RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITERS
On his first full day as a congressman-elect, Virgil Goode was hustling.
Plenty of important things to do. Maybe a swashbuckling victory tour across the 5th Congressional District, or maybe some hobnobbing with some of the Washington elite.
But this is Virgil Goode, the man who has fastened a political career to his humble, down-home, common-sense values.
Goode was in a hurry Wednesday because he was running late for a continuing education class at the Dutch Inn in Collinsville.
Goode, a Rocky Mount lawyer, wasn't teaching the class. He was a student; it was part of the requirement for him to keep his law license.
There were plenty of important political items to take care of when he arrived at his law office Wednesday morning. Several people had left messages, including U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, who'd phoned to congratulate Goode on his win.
But Goode said he had to make that class in Collinsville.
Before hitting the road, though, he took a few minutes to talk about his landslide victory over Republican George Landrith.
Many in the crowd of about 500 supporters that had gathered at the John Elkins Antique warehouse in Glade Hill were wondering early Tuesday night about the candidate's whereabouts. It was obvious by the election numbers on television that Goode was going to win the race.
But they didn't know that the low-key Goode was having his anxious moment a few miles away.
Goode said he, his wife, Lucy, and a few campaign staffers watched the first returns at his law office. The first numbers broadcast on one TV channel showed Landrith ahead by 15 percentage points. At the time, Goode said, his sweep of every locality in the 5th District seemed a long way away.
"For a few minutes, we were all nervous," he said.
A few hours later, Landrith called Goode and conceded the race.
Goode, a state senator for the past 23 years, said he plans to write this month to the state Board of Elections resigning his Senate seat. Officially, that can't happen until Nov. 25, when the 5th District election is certified, he said.
By state election law, Dec.17 is the earliest date that the special election for the seat could be held.
Gov. George Allen, who will set the election date, is considering Dec.17. He wants to hold the election before the General Assembly begins its 1997 session Jan.8, a spokesman said.
Goode's congressional win and corresponding state Senate resignation unleashed a flurry of political activity in Southside.
Potential candidates are lining up for his Senate seat as well as the House of Delegates races that could result.
The outcome of the Senate race will be watched across the state, because it could determine which party has a majority in the Senate - now deadlocked with 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats.
Insiders say Del. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, and Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, will announce next week for Goode's seat.
Dudley said many people have urged him to run, and he spent most of the day Wednesday talking on the phone with supporters. He said he'll make an announcement soon.
Reynolds would say Wednesday only that he is interested in running for the Senate, but he didn't want to state his intentions until after Goode's resignation is official. Democratic sources, however, say Reynolds will announce Tuesday morning at a series of news conferences.
Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, also was a possible candidate but has decided to step aside as a courtesy to Reynolds, who has more seniority, according to a number of Democratic Party sources. Armstrong could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
If Dudley won, it would be an enormous symbolic victory for Republicans, marking the first time since Reconstruction that the party has had a majority in the Virginia Senate.
However, that wouldn't change a power-sharing agreement that Goode brokered earlier this year between Senate Democrats and Republicans. That deal, which is effective for four years and focuses on sharing committee leadership, can be changed only with a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
But on partisan votes on the Senate floor, a Republican majority "would clearly be meaningful," said state Sen. John Chichester, R-Fredericksburg, co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Another effect of the chain reaction set off by Goode's congressional win would be the House of Delegates race that would need to be called if Reynolds or Dudley are elected to the Senate.
That race, too, will be closely watched. Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, and Del. Vance Wilkins, R-Amherst County, the GOP leader in the House, already have made calls to possible candidates in Southside.
Franklin County Democratic Chairman Mary Harkins, a Rocky Mount lawyer, has expressed interest in Dudley's seat, whether he runs for Goode's Senate seat or for re-election next November.
Eric Ferguson, the county's former Democratic chairman, said he would consider a run if Dudley's House seat opens up. There's a possible Republican candidate in Franklin County, too - Board of Supervisors Chairman Wayne Angell.
One Republican who won't be running is the county's GOP chairman, Carthan Currin, who initially was interested. Currin, general manager of the Comfort Inn in Rocky Mount, said he has decided to spend more time on his business.
If Reynolds runs and wins the Senate race, Patrick County supervisor and former county administrator Barnie K. Day said he is thinking about running for Reynolds' House seat.
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS/Staff. Virgil Goode and leftoversby CNBfrom the munchies that sustained him decorate his office the morning
after his victory. color.