Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504050067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY D. DAVIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NACE LENGTH: Medium
Joel Branscom, who announced his bid Tuesday at his home near here, stressed his experience as Roanoke's senior assistant commonwealth's attorney.
Branscom, a Republican, most likely will receive his party's nomination at a May 18 mass meeting to oppose Democratic incumbent Rob Hagan.
The Nov. 7 election also will mark the first time Botetourt voters will be able to vote for a full-time commonwealth's attorney. Before July 1994, the office was part-time and the commonwealth's attorney devoted his other time to a private practice.
"It makes sense for me now," said Branscom, who began his law career in 1985 as a full-time prosecutor. "Now this position is full time. I wouldn't know how to maintain a private practice."
Bud Brummit, chairman of the Botetourt Republicans' candidate recruitment committee, said the party expects to have a "full slate" in the election. "Out of the four constitutional offices [up for election], this is by far the most winnable," he said.
Branscom graduated from the College of William and Mary with degrees in economics and philosophy. In 1984, he received his law degree from the college's Marshall-Wythe School of Law. Branscom has worked for Donald Caldwell, the Democratic commonwealth's attorney of Roanoke for 10 years. He said Caldwell has been "very helpful and supportive."
Branscom has handled a variety of cases, ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder. He said he has prosecuted more than 25 murder cases and has assisted with more than 100 murder cases.
"I've got experience in prosecuting," Branscom said. "I want to bring those skills back to Botetourt County."
"When you go to a doctor, you feel confident that he's done the operation before. That's the kind of experience I bring," he said.
Branscom said it is this familiarity that distinguishes him from Hagan, who was elected in 1991 after serving as the county's assistant prosecutor.
"I'm not criticizing Rob," Branscom said. "I'm not saying he did a bad job. I just think I can do a better job."
Branscom has at least one high-profile murder case coming up this month. He is scheduled to prosecute Robert May, the 27-year-old accused of killing five people in Roanoke on New Year's Day. That trial is set for the week of April 24.
High-profile or not, Branscom said all of his cases "play a role."
"As Botetourt County continues to grow, its needs in dealing with crime will, unfortunately, also grow," Branscom said. "I was given the responsibilities I have now because I can do the job. My decade of experience as a full-time prosecutor in Roanoke has taught me that prosecuting is only part of that job.
"I have the skills to make the Botetourt County commonwealth attorney's office a better office. In fact, I believe that regardless of the outcome of this election, the focus of a contested race will improve prosecution services in the county."
Hagan, who announced his bid for re-election on March 6, said he also has prosecuted tough cases. "I've been hearing for a long time that Joel intended to run," Hagan said. "I'll match my record against anybody's."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB