Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993 TAG: 9310240200
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: F-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
\ Allen Dudley\
Party: Republican\ Occupation: Banker, vice president of First Virginia Bank in Rocky Mount.\ Age: 46\ Residence: Rocky Mount\ Political background: First ry for elected office.\ \ Wesley Naff\ Party: Democrat.\ Occupation: Owner, Meadow Springs Realty Co.\ Age 38\ Residence: Rocky Mount\ Political background: First try for elected office.\ \ Jerry R. Johnson\ Party: Independent.\ Occupation: Purchasing agent, Unique Builders Inc.\ Age: 54\ Residence: Union Hall\ Political background: Republican nominee for Georgia House of Representatives in 1972, lost; Republican nominee in Georgia for U.S. Senate in 1974, lost.
This winner of this House seat, regardless of the party with which he is affiliated, faces a difficult time in gaining influence for the district.
This difficulty stems from both Southside Virginia's loss of political power following the death of House speaker A.L. Philpott and, in the district, the failure of 12-year veteran Willard Finney to exert authority.
Finney, a Rocky Mount lawyer whose decision to retire opened up the race, was a backbench legislator who rarely carried the debate on major issues.
The two major candidates, Naff and Dudley, have dramatically different personalities and would take different approaches to bringing a voice to the district.
Allen Dudley, the Republican, is an outspoken person who says he would go to Richmond and take the bull by the horns. Wes Naff, the Democrat, is more laid-back and unassuming, and prefers to lead through quiet example.
Jerry Johnson, the independent, gives voters fed up with the usual political process the chance to register a protest. Johnson's entire campaign hinges upon the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - that's the amendment that provided for the popular election of U.S. Senators.
by CNB