THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080582
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COMMUNITY BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Circuit Court Clerk William T. Ryan jumped political parties Thursday to endorse Republican candidate Albert Teich Jr. as his successor.
Ryan, a 73-year-old Democrat, is retiring after 34 years in the Circuit Court clerk's office, the last 10 as clerk of court. He had wanted to run for re-election but announced his retirement after several prominent local Democrats backed Randy Wright for the job.
Wright is a 48-year-old printer and city councilman. Teich is a 66-year-old lawyer and former state delegate.
In a written statement, Ryan praised Teich's experience in the courthouse. ``I can say without hesitation that Al Teich can perform the job of clerk of the Circuit Court starting his very first day on the job,'' Ryan wrote.
Ryan also said he wants to keep ``partisan politics'' out of the clerk's office. Wright is backed by a long list of local Democrats, including a majority of the City Council, six of Norfolk's seven state legislators, and both congressmen.
Wright said Thursday he was not surprised by Ryan's announcement.
KEYWORDS: ENDORSEMENT NORFOLK COURT CLERK by CNB