Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103060419
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LEADER IN CONSOLIDATION CAMPAIGN CONSIDERS RUN AT STATE SENATOR

Roanoke Mayor Noel Taylor and state GOP Chairman Don Huffman have urged Bell to run against Macfarlane, a Democrat who has represented the 21st Senate District for eight years. The district comprises Roanoke, Vinton and the eastern part of Roanoke County, including the Cave Spring area.

Members of an exploratory campaign committee formed to gauge political and financial support for Bell include: Willis Anderson, former Roanoke mayor and former member of the House of Delegates; Hugh Key, an activist in county GOP politics; and James Williams, city Republican chairman.

Bell, 32, said Tuesday that he seriously is considering running for Macfarlane's seat, but has not made a decision.

Taylor, who has had a friendly relationship with Macfarlane and other Democrats in city politics, praised Bell as a man of "integrity, vision and compassion."

"Brandon's focus has consistently been on being a servant to the people here at home and now, I believe it's time for [him] to continue his service to the people of the Roanoke Valley by serving in the state Senate," said Taylor, who met Bell when he was president of the Roanoke Jaycees.

Macfarlane said he will seek re-election and would welcome a challenge by Bell.

"I think it is good for the voters and the political process. I look forward to debating the issues," Macfarlane said.

Macfarlane said he was not surprised that Taylor is supporting Bell. "The mayor has always been a friend of mine, but he is on the other side of the political aisle and I understand his political allegiances," Macfarlane said.

Macfarlane, a 61-year-old motel chain operator, won the Senate seat in 1983 when he ousted Ray Garland, a Republican.

Robert Goodlatte, a Roanoke lawyer and former chairman of the 6th District Republican Committee, is heading Bell's exploratory committee.

"I've talked to a number of people about running, and others have talked to me. What they are doing in setting up the committee has my blessing," Bell said.

Key, who opposed the consolidation of the city and county, said Bell demonstrated political courage and leadership in heading the petition drive for the consolidation referendum.

"While we were on the opposite side of this issue, I was impressed by [his] commitment to furthering cooperation in the valley," he said. "It took courage for Brandon to take a public stand."

Bell is chairman of the Roanoke County Republican Committee. He is a computer sales representative for Hewlett-Packard Co. and a graduate of Mississippi State University.

Bell, who has not run for public office previously, said he became more familiar with the issues facing the Roanoke Valley during the consolidation campaign, but that isn't the only reason he is considering running for the Senate. He said he was interested in politics before he got involved in the consolidation issue.