Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 24, 1993 TAG: 9310240201
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: F-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Richard Cranwell\ Party: Democrat\ Occupation: Lawyer\ Age: 51.\ Residence: Roanoke County.\ Political background: First elected to the House of Delegates in 1971. Named House of Delegates majority leader in 1991. Chairman of the House Finance Committee.\ \ Bud Brummitt\ Party: Republican.\ Occupation: Retired Sales Representative.\ Age: 64.\ Residence: Cloverdale.\ Political background: First try for elected office. Moved to Botetourt County in February 1992.
Richard Cranwell, who has not faced opposition since single-member House districts were created in 1982, is running on his record of effectiveness in getting things done for the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia.
Cranwell says he will continue to put his skills as a coalition builder to work making sure the General Assembly does not overlook the region when it divies up money for highways and education.
Bud Brumitt entered the race even though some Republican leaders advised him that Cranwell was too entrenched and too powerful.
The Republican newcomer went on the attack in August, accusing Cranwell of using his office to further his own law practice and business interests. Brumitt also has attacked Cran- well for taking the Fifth Amendment in 1990 when called to testify before a federal grand jury investigating his former law partner Frank Selbe, who later was convicted of tax fraud.
Cranwell denies any wrongdoing and accuses Brumitt of running a negative campaign.
On the Selbe charge, Cranwell say he had nothing to hide, but avoided testifying on the advice of his attorney, who suspected the Republican-appointed U.S. attorney would try to build a politically motivated case against him.
by CNB