Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 21, 1993 TAG: 9311210049
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
One of the first movies he saw as a youngster was "All the President's Men," the story of two Washington Post reporters who helped expose the Watergate scandal. He still has his copy of the book.
Wilson was only 7 when the Watergate story broke, but he recalls following the events and the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.
For nearly 20 years, he has been interested in politics, particularly the nuts and bolts of political strategy.
Wilson, 27, majored in political science at Virginia Tech, then earned a law degree from the University of Dayton.
He hopes to use this background in his campaign to become chairman of the Roanoke Democratic Committee.
Ironically, Sam Garrison, the person who stands in Wilson's way to head the party, had a role in the Watergate story.
Garrison was an attorney for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings.
Wilson has the support of Mayor David Bowers and most top Democratic leaders. But he expects a tough fight from Garrison.
Wilson can work with all factions within the party and bring unity, Bowers said.
Bowers said he expects a "friendly horse race" between Wilson and Garrison. Wilson worked in Bowers' mayoral campaign, and he rents office space from him.
But Wilson said Monday it was not Bowers' idea for him to seek the post. In fact, he said, Bowers tried to persuade him not to run.
Wilson won't say anything negative about Garrison, adding that the two have agreed to avoid personal attacks during the campaign.
"I get along well with Sam," Wilson said. "I didn't know he was interested in running for chairman when I began talking with people about it in September."
But Wilson said he can do a better job of unifying the party than Garrison.
Wilson, a Roanoke native, said he ended up renting office space and getting to know Bowers almost by luck.
When Wilson was in law school, he served an internship with Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell. He asked Caldwell where he might rent space for his office and was referred to Bowers.
Wilson is following the route Bowers took early in his political career. Bowers was party chairman before he ran for City Council.
But Wilson said he has no interest in running for elective office. He said he doesn't want to undergo the intense scrutiny and loss of privacy that candidates must endure.
Wilson said the next years will be crucial for the Democrats, because Republicans have been boosted by the election of George Allen as governor and by gains in the House of Delegates.
He expects the GOP to challenge Dels. Victor Thomas and Clifton Woodrum, both of Roanoke, in two years. Both were unopposed this year.
Wilson also expects the Republicans to run candidates for City Council in May.
The Democrats also will have to decide whether they will challenge state Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke.
"The Republicans are going to be strong, and I expect them to run strong candidates," Wilson said.
"We will be tested, and we need someone who can build a consensus. I think I can do that."
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POLITICS PROFILE
by CNB