2 MORE TOUTED AS SUCCESSORS TO MUNFORD

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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 26, 1993                   TAG: 9303260306
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
2 MORE TOUTED AS SUCCESSORS TO MUNFORD
Two more names have surfaced as potential contenders this fall for the House of Delegates seat being vacated by Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg.
Blacksburg lawyers Joe Painter, a Republican, and Joe Steffen Jr., a Democrat, are considering pursuing the nominations of their respective parties for the 12th District race.
They join a growing field of candidates for the Munford seat that has sprouted as quickly as a weed patch since she announced last week she wouldn't run again.
Painter, 45, ran unsuccessfully on the Republican ticket for Montgomery County commonwealth's attorney in 1991.
A native of Washington County and graduate of Virginia Tech, Painter came to law late. He graduated from the University of Georgia Law School in 1985 and has practiced law in Montgomery County for about six years.
Painter has been busy talking with people in Giles and Montgomery counties about the possibility of his candidacy. He said he will announce his intentions within roughly two weeks.
Steffen said he has "been interested for some time" in running for the state legislature, but said he's not sure the time is right. He is involved in two relatively new businesses.
During the next few days, Steffen said he would talk with members of his family, fellow Democrats and others about a possible candidacy.
Others considering a run for Munford's seat this fall include Democrats Cynthia Massie, Jim Moore and Waldon Kerns, all of Blacksburg. Republicans declaring an interest include Nick Rush of Christiansburg and Al Leighton of Blacksburg.
Moore and Rush are members of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and Kerns and Leighton serve on the Blacksburg Town Council.
The 12th District encompasses eastern Giles County and the northern two-thirds of Montgomery County.
Keywords:
POLITICS

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB