ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, November 27, 1996           TAG: 9611270054
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-5  EDITION: METRO 

GOODE'S SEAT GOES UP FOR GRABS ON DEC.17

Gov. George Allen has set Dec. 17 as the date for the special election to fill the state Senate seat being vacated by Rocky Mount Democrat Virgil Goode, who was elected to Congress earlier this month.

Del. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Henry County, and Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, are set to square off in the special election, which has attracted statewide attention because it could determine which party controls the state Senate.

A Reynolds victory would preserve a Senate tied with 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats. A Dudley victory would tip the balance to the GOP by 21-19.

The district covers Franklin County, Floyd County, Henry County, Martinsville, Patrick County and part of Carroll County.

Regardless of who wins, a second special election will follow to fill the winner's seat in the House of Delegates. That election will likely be held in early January.

- Staff report

LENGTH: Short :   27 lines
KEYWORDS: POLITICS GENERAL ASSEMBLY