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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 24, 1995                   TAG: 9505240093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

WYTHE SUPERVISOR CHANGING PARTIES

Wythe County Supervisor Jack Crosswell said Tuesday he was switching from the Democratic to the Republican Party in his bid for re-election from the Speedwell District.

Crosswell had competition for the Democratic candidacy from James "Blackeye" Wright . A major issue separating them is a proposed 1,500-bed private prison in Wythe County, which Crosswell favors and Wright opposes.

But Crosswell said there were other reasons for his change of party. As a conservative, he said, he felt more attuned to the GOP.

"I strongly support a proposed constitutional amendment that would put voluntary prayer back in the schools. This issue has the backing of the Republican Party," he said.

"I am against gun control laws that would disarm our citizens. I feel that criminals who use guns in crimes should be severely punished for their actions," the retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent said. "I believe it is wrong to penalize law-abiding citizens for offenses done by the criminal element. This issue has more Republican than Democratic backing."

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB