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

DATE: SATURDAY, February 18, 1995                   TAG: 9502200038
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

TURK BACKS OUT OF RACE FOR MARYE SEAT

Turk's withdrawal had been rumored for a month, ever since he postponed what was to have been his Jan. 17 campaign kickoff.

The decision leaves Gary Weddle, a former Radford City Council member, as the sole announced Republican candidate. But Pat Cupp, a Blacksburg real-estate broker, is to announce his intentions after the General Assembly adjourns next week.

"I must say that Jimmy's getting out makes it more interesting. I think it's always good to have competition," Cupp said.

Marye, a Shawsville Democrat in the Senate since 1973, has not said if he'll run again. But most observers expect him to do so, because retaining the 39th District seat will be key if his party is to hold on to power in the Senate.

"I guess it doesn't make a whole lot of difference one way or the other," Marye said Friday of Turk's decision. "It'll boil down to one person."

Turk said a combination of personal factors led to his decision. He and his wife, Allison, have a 2-month-old baby girl. They're getting ready to build a new home in Montgomery County. His law practice is booming. He teaches part time at Radford University.

"Right now I just think the timing's kind of bad for me," Turk said. "Who knows, maybe two years from now, four years from now, six years from now, the timing may be much better.

"I'm just going to concentrate on my wife and my child and getting my house built."

Turk acknowledged Marye would have been a tough opponent. He said Weddle's early start for the nomination - he first announced an exploratory committee in January 1994 - played no role in his decision.

"I think it's best in terms of party unity that I stay out as well. I think Pat is still going to throw his name in. I think three people is too many," Turk said.

He said he'll remain active in the Republican Party and will continue to host fund-raising events for candidates. The 39th Senate District includes Montgomery, Pulaski, Grayson, Smyth and parts of Carroll and Pulaski counties, along with the city of Galax.

Turk, 38, is the son of U.S. District Judge James Turk, who held the state Senate seat representing many of the same counties from 1960 until he joined the federal bench in 1972.

Keywords:
POLITICS