Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505150109
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CRITZ LENGTH: Medium
But it wasn't to be.
At a Republican meeting at the Reynolds Homestead on Saturday, about 30 party members listened to Johnson, a Franklin County electrician, ask for the nomination to challenge state Sen. Virgil Goode, D-Rocky Mount.
Minutes later, a Johnson supporter nominated him, and Johnson's wife offered a second to the motion. Then, by a voice vote, a majority chose to deny him the nomination - in spite of the fact that Johnson was the only announced candidate seeking a chance to oppose Goode, whose district includes, Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Floyd counties, Martinsville, and a slice of Carroll County.
Saturday's result was no surprise.
Several Republican leaders, including Franklin County GOP Chairman Carthan Currin, have denounced Johnson's qualifications to be a state senator.
Johnson's beliefs are way outside the mainstream, Currin said in March, the day Johnson announced his intentions.
Johnson is a strict constitutionalist. He believes the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - allowing the popular election of U.S. senators - should be repealed. Johnson thinks senators should be appointed by state legislators.
Johnson also said last week that he thinks the United States will suffer an economic collapse by 2000. It was that statement that Johnson - who frequently alludes to his strong Christian faith - talked about Saturday night, hours after he had been denied the nomination.
He said he believes that, but most others don't.
"I've got something to say," said Johnson, "I've just got to find a place to say it."
Politics is apparently not the place, he said.
"I'm thinking about preaching," Johnson said. "I have no future plans to run for elected office." He said he plans to drop out of the Republican Party.
Before Saturday's meeting adjourned, Johnson said he told those in attendance that they "are instruments of God's will" and "they just accomplished what God wanted to happen."
Currin expressed no regret about the party's decision to snub Johnson. "I know we did the right thing," he said.
Delegates at the meeting, however, did nominate Phil Plaster, a Patrick County supervisor, to challenge incumbent Del. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Martinsville, in the upcoming 10th District race. The 10th District includes Patrick County and parts of Henry, Carroll and Pittsylvania counties.
Staff writer Matt Chittum contributed information to this story.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB