Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 14, 1993 TAG: 9311140050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Give Sam Garrison credit for being a fighter.
He is a former Republican, a convicted embezzler and a leader in Roanoke's gay and lesbian community.
Any one of those could be a substantial political liability for someone wanting to head the city Democratic Committee.
Still, Garrison is seeking the post in a city where voters have often shown surprising support for political figures who defy stereotypes.
Garrison believes city Democrats are willing to judge him as a person and not as a stereotype. That's why he believes he has a realistic chance of becoming party chairman.
"I've tried to extend the olive branch to everyone," Garrison said.
If he wins, he would be one of the few openly gay people to head a local political party or win an elected post in Virginia.
But it won't be easy.
Most Democratic leaders are rallying behind Al Wilson, a young lawyer who shares law offices with Mayor David Bowers.
Some fear Garrison's election could hurt the party's image and hamper Democratic candidates.
Garrison was commonwealth's attorney in Roanoke from 1969 to 1971. He also was an attorney for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings in the early 1970s.
But his promising legal career derailed when he was convicted in 1980 of embezzling $46,000 from a bankruptcy account for which he was trustee.
At his trial, Garrison testified he embezzled the money when he was experiencing financial difficulties in the late 1970s, partly caused by his half-ownership of Copperfield's, a Franklin Road restaurant that closed in 1979.
Garrison said he used the money for living expenses, debt payments and support of his family.
He received a prison sentence of one year and one day, but he was released after four months and put on two years probation.
He switched to the Democratic Party several years ago.
Even if Garrison had the support of Democratic leaders, he could find it hard to win the backing of party members and build support for the party's candidates.
Political analysts say Garrison's homosexuality is a liability in his campaign to become party chairman.
"It would probably be a handicap, even in more liberal areas in Northern Virginia," said Larry Sabato, a political science professor at the University of Virginia. "It would certainly be a handicap in southern Virginia."
If Garrison becomes chairman of city Democrats, it would not be unprecedented but it would be rare, Sabato said.
George Rawlings, a former member of the General Assembly, disclosed he was gay while serving as chairman of the Democratic Committee in the 8th Congressional District. But Rawlings announced he was gay after he had been elected chairman.
"Voters may not be ready to elect gays," Sabato said.
Sabato said there have been a few gay candidates for local offices in Northern Virginia, but most have been defeated.
Politicians who seek the support of gays still run the risk of a backlash in Virginia.
"Being gay doesn't help you in most places," said Bob Holsworth, a political science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. "If you are in a community with a large gay population, it's not that much of a problem. But in Virginia, gays are not an organized political force.
"Unlike New York, San Francisco and other places, you don't have a gay network of money and people to make that much difference."
Garrison is trying to allay fears that he would have a gay agenda and champion gay candidates if he becomes chairman. He said he would concentrate on the nuts and bolts of party operations, making use of his years in politics.
Garrison's campaign got a boost when the Roanoke Central United Labor Council endorsed him.
Gary Waldo, executive director of the Roanoke Education Association, said Garrison's support is broader than just labor.
The Rev. Charles Green, president of the Roanoke chapter of the NAACP, said he is supporting Garrison.
But it is uncertain whether this coalition can orchestrate Garrison's victory.
The dynamics and mechanics of choosing a party chairman are different from nominating candidates at mass meetings.
In the nomination process, the game is raw numbers. But the selection of a new party chairman is a two-step process that ensures that all sections of the city are represented.
The first step is the reorganization of the Democratic Committee, which in turn elects a new chairman.
Traditionally, the committee includes about 130 to 150 members, depending on the rules for representation and apportionment for each of the city's 32 precincts. The committee must have representatives from each precinct, usually four or five.
At the reorganizational meeting next month, the Democrats will caucus by precinct and select the committee members. Democratic elected officials also are members of the committee.
A large turnout of gays from all sections of the city could help boost Garrison's chances. But it is unclear whether gays and union members can marshal enough support in all 32 precincts to elect a committee receptive to Garrison.
Garrison's candidacy is the latest step by gays and lesbians in becoming involved in city politics, a process that began two years ago when they appealed to City Council to broaden a ban on restrictive club-membership rules to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Council approved a ban on discriminatory membership policies by private clubs based on race and religion, but not on sexual orientation. Dozens of gays and lesbians attended the meeting when the ban was enacted to urge council to broaden it.
In a speech to council, Garrison said, "We are the tip of the iceberg. See us. Know us. Start paying attention to us."
Gays also led the move to revise the city's anti-solicitation ordinance, which was used to arrest gays who went to parks to meet potential partners.
Councilman Howard Musser had the support of many gays when he sought the Democratic nomination for mayor last year.
Several council candidates have sought the support of gays in their campaigns, but they have done it quietly and out of the public eye.
Bowers is supporting Wilson for party chairman, but he won't criticize Garrison or discuss the gay issue.
"I expect a friendly horse race," Bowers said.
"Both are good lawyers. I think Al can unify the party, and he would bring new leadership. I'm not going to say anything negative about either one."
Bowers said his differences with labor leaders over the choice of a party chairman don't signal any permanent split with them.
Some Democratic leaders are worried that Garrison could hurt the party if he becomes chairman.
Sheriff Alvin Hudson predicts Garrison's candidacy will cause divisions within the party and tarnish its image. He said Garrison's background and lifestyle will send the wrong message to voters.
"I'm against him, and I told him so. It will damage the party if he wins," Hudson said. "Just his running will hurt the party. Some people don't want to be associated with a convicted felon."
Garrison lost his law license when he was convicted of embezzlement, but he regained it this year. His voting rights were restored in 1984.
Hudson said Garrison's criminal record is a bigger concern for some voters than his sexual orientation. "He is destroying the party," Hudson said.
Del. Clifton Woodrum, D-Roanoke, said he is supporting Wilson, but he would not comment on Garrison. "I'm not going to characterize his candidacy in any way," Woodrum said.
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, the outgoing chairman and the first black to head the party in Roanoke, said he won't take sides.
Said Tinsley: "I just hope the party isn't taken over by special interests. I hope no one uses the party for their own interests."
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POLITICS PROFILE
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