Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508160034
SECTION: DISCOVER ROANOKE VALLEY PAGE: 40 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
All 140 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot. Moreover, there's a lot at stake in this year's choices. Democrats hold slim majorities in both the state Senate and House of Delegates. They're hoping to stay in control; Republicans are bidding to control one or both houses of the legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.
Look for Virginia's most partisan legislative races ever.
In addition, most counties are electing a slate of local officials - boards of supervisors, and the so-called "constitutional" offices of sheriff, commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, clerk of the court and commonwealth's attorney.
Many localities are also electing school board members, for the first time ever. Until recently, school board members in Virginia were appointed, usually by the local governing body, sometimes by a special court-run panel.
Most Virginia localities, however, have voted to switch to elected school boards. By law, all school board candidates must run as independents.
Here's a locality-by-locality rundown of who's voting on what this November in the Roanoke Valley:
Roanoke
Clerk of Court Bert Crush, a Democrat, is unopposed for re-election.
Voters citywide will choose between Republican incumbent Brandon Bell and Democratic challenger John Edwards for the state Senate.
Voters who live in Southeast Roanoke, Northeast Roanoke and parts of Northwest Roanoke will choose between Democratic incumbent Victor Thomas and Republican challenger Jeff Artis for the House of Delegates.
Voters who live in South Roanoke, Southwest Roanoke, and most of Northwest Roanoke will chose between Democratic incumbent Clifton "Chip" Woodrum and Republican challenger Newell Falkinburg for the House of Delegates.
Roanoke County
Four constitutional officials are unopposed for re-election: Commonwealth's Attorney Skip Burkart, a Republican; Sheriff Gerald Holt, a Democrat; Commissioner of the Revenue Wayne Compton, a Democrat; and Treasurer Fred Anderson, a Republican.
In the Cave Spring Magisterial District, Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix, a Republican, is unopposed for re-election.
Also in the Cave Spring District, three candidates are running for the School Board: Carol White, Vern Jordahl and William Irvin III.
In the Catawba Magisterial District, voters have a four-way race for supervisor: Democrat Spike Harrison, Republican Warren Brown, and independents Robert Crouse and Douglas Graham.
Also in the Catawba District, three candidates are running for the School Board: Marion Roark, John Reed and William "Bill" Brown Jr.
Voters who live in the Cave Spring-Penn Forest neighborhoods will chose between Democratic incumbent Clifton "Chip" Woodrum and Republican challenger Newell Falkinburg for the House of Delegates.
Voters who live along Peters Creek Road will choose between Democratic incumbent Victor Thomas and Republican challenger Jeff Artis for the House of Delegates.
Voters who live in the swath of the county from Clearbrook to Vinton to Hollins to Glenvar and Catawba will choose between Democratic incumbent Richard Cranwell and Republican challenger Trixie Averill for the House of Delegates.
Voters who live anywhere in the county except for west county, and the Bent Mountain-Poages Mill neighborhood will choose between Republican incumbent Brandon Bell and Democratic challenger John Edwards for the state Senate.
Voters in west county and the Bent Mountain-Poages Mill neighborhood will find that their state senator is unopposed for re-election, Republican Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo.
Salem
Clerk of Court Chance Crawford, an independent, is unopposed for re-election.
The city's two representatives in the General Assembly also are unopposed: Del. Morgan Griffith and state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, both Republicans.
Botetourt County
Treasurer Benton Bolton, a Democrat, is unopposed for re-election.
Voters countywide will choose between Democratic incumbent Rob Hagan and Republican challenger Joel Branscom for commonwealth's attorney.
Voters countywide will choose between Democratic incumbent Steve Wampler and Republican challenger Jay Etzler for commonwealth's attorney.
Voters in the Fincastle Magisterial District will find their supervisor, Republican Bonnie Mayo, unopposed for re-election.
Also in the Fincastle District, three candidates are running for the school board: Sally Eads, David Emeigh and Jack Leffel Jr.
Voters in the Blue Ridge Magisterial District will choose between Democratic incumbent Wendy Wingo and Republican challenger Art Pendleton.
Also in the Blue Ridge District, James Ruhland is unopposed for the school board.
Voters in the Valley District will choose between Democratic incumbent William Loope and Republican challenger Paul Graybill.
Also in the Valley District, Michael Beahm is unopposed for the school board.
Voters countywide will find that their state senator is unopposed for re-election, Republican Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo.
Voters in the southern part of the county will choose between Democratic incumbent Richard Cranwell and Republican challenger Trixie Averill for the House of Delegates.
Voters in the northernmost precinct of Iron Gate will choose between Democratic incumbent Creigh Deeds and Republican challenger Ben Nicely for the House of Delegates.
Voters in the Fincastle-Buchanan-Eagle Rock areas will find that independent Lacey Putney is unopposed for re-election to the House of Delegates.
by CNB