Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 10, 1993 TAG: 9311100186
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Garrison, who switched to the Democratic Party several years ago, is working quietly behind the scenes to line up support.
Garrison's candidacy could spark a party fight, because there are at least two other potential candidates - George McMillan and Al Wilson.
McMillan, a major in the Roanoke Sheriff's Department, was party chairman in 1988 and 1989.
Wilson is a lawyer, and rents office space from Mayor David Bowers.
City Democrats will choose a new chairman next month to succeed the Rev. Carl Tinsley, who is leaving the post after two years.
Garrison has won the backing of the Roanoke Central United Labor Council and some labor leaders who have been active in city politics in recent years.
C.W. Toney, president of the Southwestern Virginia Building and Construction Trades Council, said Tuesday he is backing Garrison because Garrison is the candidate working hardest for the post.
"He seems to be comfortable with all classes of people, and I think he can unite the party," Toney said. "I am looking for someone who can do the job, and I think he can."
Toney and other labor leaders helped organize the turnouts that won the Democratic nominations for Bowers in 1992 and for Commissioner of Revenue-elect Marsha Fielder this year.
Garrison, commonwealth's attorney in Roanoke from 1969 to 1971, lost his law license and was convicted of embezzlement in 1980. He served four months in prison for embezzling $46,000 from a bankruptcy account for which he was trustee. He regained his license this year.
In recent years, he has been an outspoken advocate for gays and lesbians.
He said he believes his background will be a minor factor in his campaign to become party chairman. "I believe the people of Roanoke are tolerant and have civility about such matters," Garrison said.
Garrison, 51, said he will bring years of practical political experience to the post, much of it as a Republican. He said he will concentrate on the nuts and bolts of party operations if he becomes chairman and will try to get more people involved in the Democratic Party.
Garrison said he has considered himself to be a Democrat for about 10 years, although he has been active in party politics for only three or four years.
Some party officials are pressing McMillan to run, because they are afraid Garrison would take the party too far to the left and Wilson isn't well-known.
But McMillan said he is leaning against running. "I haven't made a final decision, and I am keeping my options open, but I'm inclined not to run," McMillan said.
Wilson said Tuesday that some friends and Democratic elected officials have urged him to run.
"I am checking with party people to see what support I have," Wilson said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.