ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 9, 1996 TAG: 9611110032
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
Del. Allen Dudley made it official Friday.
The Rocky Mount Republican will run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Virgil Goode, who was elected to Congress this week.
Dudley is planning some campaign stops Monday, starting in front of the Franklin County Courthouse at 9:30a.m.
If Dudley wins the Senate race - his opponent will be Del. Roscoe Reynolds of Henry County, according to Democratic Party sources - the Republicans will have a majority in the state Senate for the first time since Reconstruction. Currently, the makeup of the Senate is split evenly with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans.
Dudley vs. Reynolds will pit two respected state legislators in a race sure to get statewide attention. With so much at stake, both parties are expected to pour money and resources into the district.
Many Democrats say there's no way Dudley can win, because they believe the geography of Goode's Senate district is of more benefit to Reynolds. Democrats expect Reynolds to run strong in the areas that overlap with his House district, especially Henry County and Martinsville.
But Dudley said, "I wouldn't run if I didn't think I could win."
He was given little chance of winning when he first ran for the House of Delegates in 1993. Democrat Wes Naff had the backing of many of Franklin County's most powerful politicians.
Dudley did lose Franklin County, but he won the race by beating Naff in other areas of the district - Floyd County and parts of Pittsylvania and Bedford counties.
Last year, in his run for re-election, Dudley, a commercial banker, soundly defeated Democrat Claude Whitehead of Pittsylvania County. Dudley carried Franklin County - the first Republican House candidate to do so in 25 years.
If Dudley carries Franklin and Floyd counties this time, and Reynolds carries Henry County and Martinsville, then Patrick County will become the key battleground.
Patrick is part of Reynold's House district, but is generally considered more Republican-leaning than Henry County and Martinsville.
"Allen Dudley has the ability to appeal to conservative Democrats and independents," said Carthan Currin, the chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party.
Another factor in the race is Goode.
He and Reynolds have formed a close working relationship in the General Assembly, but Goode and Dudley are longtime friends and former classmates at Franklin County High School.
Goode, as a Democrat, will support Reynolds. It's just not clear how strong that support will be.
Also Friday, another Franklin County resident expressed interest in running for Dudley's House seat.
Smith Mountain Lake developer Ron Willard says he may seek the Republican nomination.
Wayne Angell, the chairman of the county's Board of Supervisors, said Wednesday that he also is interested.
Possible Democratic candidates for Dudley's House seat include Franklin County party chairwoman Mary Harkins and former chairman Eric Ferguson.
So far, there is one interested candidate in Reynolds' house seat - Democrat Barnie Day, a Patrick County supervisor and former county administrator.
The special election for Goode's Senate seat is expected to be held in mid-to late December.
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