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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 2, 1993                   TAG: 9306020157
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THIS YEAR, CRANWELL MAY FACE CHALLENGE

A retired Botetourt County businessman says he's "seriously considering" challenging House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, in this fall's election.

Republican Bud Brumitt, 63, of Cloverdale said that if he runs he'll target Cranwell for backing tax increases and losing touch with his constituents.

Brumitt said he'd also draw attention to Cranwell's work as an annexation lawyer, since Cranwell helped author the state's annexation laws. "That has to be construed as somewhat self-serving," Brumitt said.

Brumitt, a West Virginia native who ran a business in Pennsylvania selling equipment to the solid-waste industry, retired to Botetourt two years ago. But he said Cranwell also is a newcomer to much of the district because the 1991 redistricting added portions of southern Botetourt County.

"He's never been challenged in this district," Brumitt said. In fact, the last time Cranwell faced opposition was in 1981, before Virginia adopted single-member House districts.

After last year's congressional race, in which a Cranwell ally, Democrat Steve Musselwhite of Vinton, fared poorly in eastern Roanoke County, many Republicans speculated Cranwell might be vulnerable. But they later despaired of mounting a challenge when no candidate came forward.

Brumitt acknowledged that Cranwell - who he charged is overly friendly with developers from Northern Virginia - likely could raise far more money. But Brumitt pledged to wage a vigorous door-to-door campaign. "I think in about three months I could probably hit every door," Brumitt said.

The district includes eastern Bedford County; Vinton; most of eastern, northern and western Roanoke County; southern Botetourt County; and Craig County.

Brumitt said he'd make up his mind about running this weekend at the state Republican convention in Richmond. However, he said, "I think the decision is all but made."

Republicans will meet Monday - a day before the deadline for putting names on the fall ballot - to nominate a candidate.

Cranwell said Tuesday he wasn't surprised to hear Brumitt might run. "I look forward to a dialogue," he said.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB