ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 27, 1996 TAG: 9611270062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
State Secretary of Public Safety Jerry Kilgore will become the fourth member of Gov. George Allen's Cabinet to quit when he announces his resignation Tuesday.
Kilgore's departure had been expected. He has been considering running for attorney general since September, when he formed an exploratory committee to gauge his chances.
Allen spokesman Ken Stroupe said Kilgore informed the governor of his decision Friday. He said Kilgore is resigning ``to pursue other options,'' but he would not elaborate.
Kilgore spokesman Bill Cimino also confirmed the impending resignation but would not say what the secretary will do next.
``He will have an announcement about his future Dec.3,'' Cimino said.
Kilgore was traveling and unavailable for comment Tuesday, Cimino said.
Other members of Allen's original Cabinet who have resigned to pursue other interests are Kay Coles James, health and human resources; Paul Timmreck, finance; and Frank Atkinson, chief counsel. Allen's term ends in January 1998.
Stroupe said the governor already has begun searching for Kilgore's successor. He could not say when an appointment will be announced.
Kilgore will have plenty of competition if he runs for attorney general. Also seeking the Republican nomination in a June10 primary are state Sens. Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach and Mark L. Earley of Chesapeake and Fairfax lawyer Gil Davis.
Democrat Bill Dolan of Arlington, who lost a bid for attorney general in 1993, is considering another try. Democrats will choose their nominee at a convention in Richmond May 9-10.
Kilgore, 35, served as a state and federal prosecutor before Allen named him secretary of public safety at the beginning of his term in 1994. He was a key player in Allen's parole abolition initiative.
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