Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 14, 1992 TAG: 9202140172
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
MUSSER: INDEPENDENT BID NOT PLANNED
Roanoke Vice Mayor Howard Musser says he has no intention of running for mayor as an independent if he fails to win the Democratic nomination.But he won't rule out that possibility if Councilman David Bowers is the Democratic nominee in the May 5 election.
Bowers has raised the issue, saying the mayoral candidates should promise ahead of time that they will support the party's nominees. He said that if he loses at the party's mass meeting Feb. 22, he will support Musser.
Bowers said he has heard that Musser has told some people he might run as an independent. Musser downplays Bowers' accusation as a campaign ploy.
Musser's supporters said they have also heard Bowers might run as an independent if he doesn't get the party's nomination. "We've heard the same thing about David," said Councilman James Harvey, a Musser ally.
Bowers called suggestions that he would consider an independent run a "total fabrication."
"I will not under any circumstances run for mayor if I am not the nominee of my party," he said. "I want to make that as clear as possible. I will be a loyal soldier and support the nominee of my party."
In filing candidacy papers with party leaders, Bowers and Musser signed a statement that reads, "I do not intend to support any candidate opposed to any Democratic nominee in the next ensuing election."
Bowers said he will ask the party's executive committee to ask all candidates, in addition, to state publicly they will support the Democratic nominees.
Musser said, "My plan is to win the nomination. If I don't, I'll make that decision then, but I don't have any intention" to run as an independent.
"I am not circulating any petitions to run as an independent. My opponent will do anything to try to raise an issue," the vice mayor said.
George McMillan, acting chairman of the city Democratic Committee, said he has heard "charges from each side that the other one will run as an independent and is circulating petitions." Election laws require independent candidates to file petitions signed by 125 voters.
McMillan said he thinks the pressure of the campaign is making each candidate nervous about what the other is doing.
"From now to the mass meeting, I think you are going see each side worried about what is happening," he said.
Musser and Bowers are fighting for the support of different groups that traditionally vote Democratic. Musser has the support of several Democratic officeholders in the city: Harvey, Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., Sheriff Alvin Hudson and Treasurer Gordon Peters. But Bowers has support among labor leaders and other groups.
Keywords:
POLITICS