
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993                   TAG: 9312040248
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

CAUCUS PUSHES PRIMARY

The General Assembly's black caucus, giving an early signal of support for Gov. Douglas Wilder's bid for the U.S. Senate, called on Democratic leaders Friday to hold a primary election for the office.

"We favor a primary because it is the most inclusive way of choosing a candidate," said Del. William Robinson, D-Norfolk, chairman of the 13-member caucus. "If you're going to have maximum black participation, a primary is the best way to encourage it."

The call adds a racial dimension to debate over whether to make the Senate nomination in next year's showdown between Wilder and incumbent Sen. Charles Robb by holding a primary or a convention. State Democratic leaders are scheduled to resolve the matter Dec. 11.

Robb has declined to state a preference in the dispute. But his supporters on the Democratic State Central Committee, the party's governing body, generally are backing a convention. That setting would give Robb an edge over Wilder because of his closer relationship to party activists.

Wilder, arguing that a convention would dilute his black base, has threatened to run as an independent next year unless the party holds a primary.

The caucus announced its decision Friday after a two-hour private luncheon with Wilder.

Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor and a former member of the caucus, said he simply restated his position and did not ask the group for support. "I have not done any campaigning; I have not done any calling," he said.

Robinson said a convention would discourage black participation because it requires delegates to pay filing fees and frequently bear the expense of a night or two in hotels.

Robinson also voiced concern that a convention would dilute the black vote. Each of the state's 11 congressional districts is allowed a limited number of votes at a convention. Black votes would be concentrated in the new 3rd District, stretching from Richmond to Norfolk. In a primary, he added, black voters would have more sway with a heavy turnout.

Robinson said the caucus does not plan to heavily lobby party leaders during the next week. He expressed hope that the mere public airing of the group's position will help convince Democrats to chose a primary. Blacks are the largest constituent group within the party, typically giving more than 90 percent of their votes to Democratic candidates.

Wilder supporters say privately that they expect to muster the votes of at least 55 percent of the 200 members of the central committee. Their claims are at odds with a survey of 110 Democratic leaders conducted last week by The Daily Progress in Charlottesville. The newspaper found 49 percent of those Democrats supported a convention, while 32 percent backed a primary.

Whatever the outcome, Robinson said, the caucus plans to back a candidate before the nomination, although he would not say who. Several members said privately that they expect Wilder to gain the endorsement.

Robb has requested a meeting with the caucus, Robinson said, although nothing has been scheduled.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB