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

DATE: FRIDAY, December 9, 1994                   TAG: 9412100008
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT                                LENGTH: Medium

DEMOCRATS TAKE AIM AT FRANKLIN SEAT

So when Willard Finney decided not to seek re-election in 1993, it was a good bet that the Democratic candidate to follow him would be swept into office.

But Republican Allen Dudley pulled what was arguably the biggest surprise among state House races last year.

The Rocky Mount banker and political newcomer upset Democrat Wes Naff - a businessman and member of a prominent Franklin County family - by 161 votes in the 9th District, which includes Floyd County, most of Franklin County, parts of Pittsylvania County and the Moneta precinct in Bedford County.

The tightness of that race has led political insiders around the state to pinpoint Dudley's seat as a high priority for the Democratic Party as election 1995 approaches. And as the Grand Old Party seeks to take over both houses of the General Assembly, Dudley - along with state Sens. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, and Edgar Robb, R-Charlottesville - appears most vulnerable, politicos say.

"Certainly, when you've got such a thin margin like the one that occurred in the 9th District race, it's a priority," said Gail Nardi, a spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks about possible Democratic candidates-to-be in the 9th. The three names mentioned so far include: Finney, a Rocky Mount lawyer; Capt. Bill Overton of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and son of longtime Sheriff W.Q. Overton; and Eric Ferguson, a Rocky Mount lawyer and chairman of the county's Democratic Party.

Finney said Wednesday that he has been approached about running again but hasn't decided what he's going to do.

Bill Overton's considerations are twofold: He could gain a House of Delegates seat but lose the chance to succeed his father, who has been the county's sheriff since 1975. Overton wouldn't tip his hand Wednesday, saying he preferred not to comment on his plans at this time.

Ferguson said Thursday that, at this point, he's "not inclined to run."

No matter who steps to the plate, though, Dudley will have his best fastball ready, says Carthan Currin, who was Franklin County's Republican Party chairman in 1993 and remains a party activist and a close Dudley ally.

"Nobody thought he could do it last year," Currin said. "But I sensed late in the campaign that he was coming on strong. He campaigned hard. One thing's for sure: Allen Dudley didn't fall off the turnip truck."

Currin said Gov. George Allen's immense popularity among voters in the district helped Dudley. The governor's support could be a factor again next year as Allen stumps for Republican candidates in hopes that the party will gain control of the General Assembly.

The Republicans must gain four seats in the House of Delegates for a majority, and three in the Senate.

Keywords:
POLITICS