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

DATE: SATURDAY, April 15, 1995                   TAG: 9504170039
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT                                LENGTH: Short

OVERTON DECLARES HE'S RUNNING AGAIN FRANKLIN SHERIFF TO SEEK 6TH TERM

Diagnosed with diabetes in 1991, Overton was feeling the effects of the disease earlier this year.

His face had thinned and lost color, and he was worried after losing more than 10 pounds in just a few weeks.

Overton, 57, the county's sheriff since 1975, admitted that he didn't know whether he would seek re-election this year.

He finally checked himself into Roanoke Memorial Hospital this winter for a week of tests.

His blood sugar has since been brought under control, and he has gained back most of the weight he lost.

So this week, Overton announced he'll seek a sixth four-year term.

There were signs earlier that Overton didn't plan to walk away from the job to which he has devoted 20 years.

So when a reporter caught Overton ordering neon-colored pens with his name on them last month, the natural question was:

You've decided to run again, right, Sheriff?

Overton only laughed.

"Don't know what you're talking about," he said.

Overton, a Democrat, is one of the most influential politicians in Franklin County - and one of the best-liked. He has run unopposed in most of his re-election bids.

County Republican Party Chairman Carthan Currin said he knows of no candidate interested in challenging Overton this year.

As of Thursday, no one had filed to oppose Overton in the Democratic primary, either.

Keywords:
POLITICS