Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 7, 1993 TAG: 9312070203
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C44 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If Al Wilson becomes chairman of the Roanoke Democratic Committee, party leaders said Monday, he will provide new leadership to counter the emerging, youthful image of the Republican party.
"With the GOP victories and the revival of their party, we Democrats need to bring in more youth, vigor and new leaders," said Mayor David Bowers.
Wilson has widespread support and can work with all factions of the party, Bowers said.
At a news conference, former congressman Jim Olin also touched on the themes of a new generation and party unity.
"We need a unified party. We lost the [6th district] congressional seat. We have a U.S. Senate race next year and City Council elections," Olin said.
A dozen party members and leaders appeared at the news conference with Wilson, 27, to show their support for him in his contest with Sam Garrison, 51.
They said Wilson, a lawyer, can unify the party, which has been divided in the past two years because of fierce battles for the Democratic nominations for several offices.
City Democrats will have a meeting tonight at the Roanoke Civic Center to elect a new chairman.
Garrison is a former Republican who was once commonwealth's attorney for the city. He has been an outspoken advocate for gays and lesbians in recent years.
Despite the party's success in winning campaigns for city offices, some Democratic leaders are worried about the victories of two young GOP politicians in the Roanoke Valley, state Sen. Brandon Bell and Rep. Bob Goodlatte.
The importance of the contest for party chairman was underscored by the presence of Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell at the news conference.
Caldwell said he usually does not get involved in partisan issues because he runs his office in a nonpartisan manner. But he said the contest for chairman is important for the party.
Without mentioning Garrison by name, Caldwell said he is disappointed that an effort is being made to pit Democrats against Democrats.
Garrison heads a reform group called the Progressive Democratic Coalition. The group says it wants a more open, revitalized party.
Caldwell said Wilson would unify, not divide, the party.
Wilson said his support is much broader than just Democratic elected officeholders and party leaders.
Besides the city officeholders, Wilson has the support of Dels. Vic Thomas and Clifton Woodrum.
Wilson said he didn't want to get into a public battle with Garrison for chairman, but he was forced to do so because of Garrison's high-profile campaign.
Meanwhile, Garrison said Monday that if he becomes chairman, his supporters would vote for Wilson as the party's first vice chairman.
"Unless we Democrats begin to pull together instead of apart, we will only continue to lose ground in local elections, including that for City Council next spring," Garrison said.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB