Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 9, 1993 TAG: 9312090252
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Garrison said Wednesday that he believes Hudson was out to get him because Garrison supported Marsha Fielder for commissioner of revenue.
He accused Hudson, his deputies and other allies of working behind the scenes to defeat him. Many of the sheriff's deputies also attended the meeting Tuesday night to support the winner, Al Wilson, Garrison said.
"The role of the sheriff and his people was enormous," he said.
But Hudson denied Garrison's charges, saying it was "absolutely not true" that he set out to beat Garrison.
"I did encourage him not to run, because I thought some people would react strongly and would oppose him," Hudson said. "I felt this might happen. Now he is just pointing his finger and trying to blame someone."
Hudson said he did not encourage or ask any of his 110 employees to go to the meeting to support Wilson.
"Some of my employees were active in the Democratic Party long before I became sheriff. And I expect some will be after I am gone," Hudson said.
He said Garrison lost because many party elders and longtime party workers came out to back Wilson.
"There were some people who I had not seen at a party reorganization meeting in years," Hudson said.
Garrison acknowledged that his personal life might have hurt him. He said his "baggage" as a former Republican, convicted felon and homosexual might have made it difficult for some Democrats to back him.
Garrison said he realizes that some Democrats were worried that his election could create an image problem for the party, but he still blames Hudson.
He believes Hudson would have worked just as hard to beat anyone who had supported Fielder in her fight with David Anderson for the Democratic nomination and her contest with Councilman Howard Musser in the election.
Garrison said he met with Hudson before he decided to run for chairman. The sheriff indicated he was concerned that Garrison might not be a viable candidate because of his background, including his conviction for embezzlement.
"What really got him visibly upset was my support for [Fielder]," Garrison said. "He said he could never forgive me for helping her to get the nomination."
Garrison has promised to support Wilson, but some hard feelings remain from the fight for chairman - and they could spill over into the City Council election next spring.
Garrison expects the Progressive Democratic Coalition, a group from the liberal wing of the party, to play a role in the council election.
But he said Wednesday that it's too early to say whether the coalition, which he heads, will have its own slate of candidates.
"Some people want to run candidates, but others don't," Garrison said.
If the coalition endorses candidates or runs a slate, it could trigger another power struggle and more controversy within the party.
Garrison said some members of the coalition also have strong feelings about party loyalty and might oppose Musser and Councilman James Harvey if they run for re-election in the March primary.
Some coalition members suspect that the party leaders' decision for a primary was a way to make it easier for Harvey and Musser to return to the party, Garrison said.
Harvey and Musser refused to back David Bowers for mayor last year, and Musser ran against Fielder as an independent. Neither council member attended the meeting Tuesday night.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB