Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 17, 1993 TAG: 9303170218
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
GOP, DEMOCRATS SEEKING CANDIDATES FOR MUNFORD SEAT
Several possible candidates - Democrat and Republican - have been mentioned as possible contenders for the 12th District House of Delegates seat being vacated by Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg.Munford, who will complete her sixth term in the House of Delegates this year, planned to announce last Saturday at a Democratic mass meeting in Montgomery County that she would not seek re-election.
The meeting was canceled because of the weekend snowstorm and has been re-scheduled for this Saturday at noon at Christiansburg High School.
In a statement prepared for last Saturday's meeting, Munford cited family and business reasons for her decision to step down.
"God has blessed me with a devoted family, many good friends, and business interests. It is my hope to have more time and energy for each of these," Munford said.
Several names have surfaced as possible candidates in November's election for Munford's seat.
Members of her own party mentioned include Montgomery County Supervisor Larry Linkous, Blacksburg Town Councilman Waldon Kerns, county Democratic Chairman Lindsay West and Blacksburg veterinarian Jim Shuler.
Linkous said he has had several people approach him about running for Munford's seat.
"I'd be willing to look at it," he said. "I haven't had a chance to talk to any party leaders."
Linkous said the Democratic picture may clear up following Saturday's mass meeting.
Kerns said Tuesday he is considering a run for the Democratic nomination.
"I have thought about it and I have discussed it with some people," he said. "There are still a few more people I want to talk with."
Kerns said he was surprised Munford stepped down this year because Western Virginia has lost several of its senior politicians recently.
"I really would have liked to have seen her stay in there because she was doing such a good job," he said.
Kerns, already a member of a number of state task forces, said he will make a decision on running after this weekend's mass meetings.
Shuler, a veterinarian who lives and works in Blacksburg, said, "I'll be honest, I have given it some consideration, and I've talked to a few people."
Shuler spent seven years on Blacksburg Town Council before stepping down. He served three years, after being appointed to serve out someone's term, and then was elected to a full term in the 1980s.
Former County supervisor Ann Hess, who was mentioned as a possible candidate, said she is not. But Hess said she would work hard for West if she decided to run. West is in England and could not be reached for comment.
Republicans mentioned as possible candidates include Blacksburg Councilman Al Leighton, former county Republican chairman and congressional candidate George Bell, and Montgomery County supervisor Nick Rush.
Leighton says he is interested in running for the Republican nomination for the second time.
"I am definitely interested, but I'm not committed at this time," he said. "I was rather surprised [Munford] decided to step down."
Munford topped Leighton easily in her last election in 1991, but Leighton said her departure is a good opportunity for the Republican party to win back the seat.
"I would be confident I would have a good chance to win if I decide to run," he said.
Although Bell's name was mentioned as a possible candidate, he said he has not given the idea serious thought yet. Bell was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress last year before a head injury suffered in a wreck in an April snowstorm knocked him out of that race.
Munford wants to be remembered for her work in the General Assembly as a strong advocate for children and education.
She sponsored a bill that created family life education in Virginia public schools.
Munford undertook a complete rewriting of the state's child labor laws as chairman of the House's Labor and Commerce Committee.
During this year's legislative session, she sponsored legislation to strengthen the state's regulations governing day-care centers.
Munford, a life-long resident of Blacksburg, was first elected to the House in 1981, defeating then House minority leader Jerry Geisler, R-Hillsville.
Besides Labor and Commerce, she sits on the Education and Corporations, Insurance and Banking committees.
She is chairman of the Education Committee's subcommittee on Higher Education and is a member of a joint legislative committee studying AIDS. She also is member of a study committee studying the state's Procurement Act.
Her 12th District encompasses eastern Giles County and northern Montgomery County.
Munford, a successful businesswoman in her private life, is vice president of HCMF Corp., an operator of nursing homes. She has promised to stay involved in community affairs after she leaves public office.
Keywords:
POLITICS