Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 1, 1993 TAG: 9304010176
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
LEIGHTON NOT INTERESTED IN DELEGATE NOMINATION
The Republican Party, like the Democrats, is guaranteed a new candidate for this fall's 12th District House of Delegates race.Al Leighton, a Blacksburg councilman and Virginia Tech professor, said he is no longer interested in seeking the GOP nomination.
Leighton was the GOP nominee when he ran unsuccessfully for the seat two years ago against Del. Joan Munford, D-Blacksburg. Munford, a 12-year incumbent, announced last month that she will not run again.
Libby Beamer, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party's candidate search committee, said Leighton called her Wednesday to say that he would not be a candidate for the nomination.
Leighton said he was just too busy to run for the seat and said he felt an obligation to let people know he isn't running.
"It's a matter of time and priorities," he said.
Other people who have contacted Beamer about a possible candidacy are George Bell, a Blacksburg business consultant who was a candidate for the 9th District Republican congressional nomination last year before he was injured in a car wreck; Ray Chisholm, a Blacksburg civil engineer; and Pat Cupp, a Blacksburg Realtor.
Blacksburg lawyer Joe Painter also has announced his interest in the nomination but has not talked with Beamer, she said.
Chisholm, 46, who has lived in Montgomery County for 10 years and has been active in the local party six to eight years, said he is seriously considering seeking the nomination.
He is motivated to work for Southwest Virginia because it has been ignored by the legislature in comparison with areas such as Northern Virginia, Chisholm said.
Cupp, 52, said he, too, is seriously considering a run for the nomination, but has not made up his mind yet.
Cupp said he always has been interested in government and has been active in the county GOP. He has lived in the county for 30 years.
Democrats who have announced an interest in Munford's seat include: Cynthia Massie of the Prices Fork section of Montgomery County, Blacksburg veterinarian Jim Shuler, Blacksburg Councilman Waldon Kerns and Montgomery County supervisor Jim Moore.
Munford has said she would support Shuler for the nomination. Munford and Shuler have a news conference scheduled for today at the Montgomery County Courthouse to talk about Shuler's intentions for the campaign.
The 12th District encompasses northern Montgomery County and eastern Giles County.
Keywords:
POLITICS