Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 8, 1995 TAG: 9511080099
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ESTHER DISKIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Medium
Senate Majority Leader Hunter Booker Andrews, who used his enormous power of the purse to tear holes in Gov. George Allen's agenda, conceded defeat Tuesday night in one of Virginia's hardest-hitting, biggest-spending, most symbolically important races.
Andrews, whose 32-year career came to symbolize Democrats' dominance and power in the Virginia legislature, seemed stunned by his loss to Newport News City Councilman Marty Williams, who had won citywide elections twice before.
"He fought a good battle. ... I fought a good battle. ... That's democracy," the 74-year-old defeated senator said. Andrews appeared to have a tear in his eye as he stood beside his wife, Cynthia, and their daughter Bentley Andrews Perrot at what was supposed to have been a victory party. He blew a kiss to a teacher who taught him in the fifth grade.
At a nearby restaurant, Williams told his supporters that "we have, in the most positive way, taken out the most powerful man in Virginia." The crowd responded with cheers of "Marty! Marty! Marty!"
"We can start without this obstructionist in Richmond," said Williams, 44.
"Hunter Andrews has given his life to the state of Virginia and we owe him a debt of gratitude," he added. Still, he said, the "message of tonight's vote was a referendum on George Allen. The people spoke loud and clear."
Republicans rejoiced that they had defeated a Goliath in a contest defined by money and hardball negative campaign ads.
Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said, "The Democrats have centralized their power so much in Hunter Andrews that they'll be helpless without him."
As majority leader, Andrews was floor leader, responsible for the Senate's daily schedule of votes and a moderator for debate. He also had the power to assign members to Senate committees, where most nuts and bolts legislating takes place. Perhaps his greatest power was his chairmanship of the Senate Finance Committee, where he lorded over budget and tax matters - and repeatedly thwarted Allen's initiatives.
Keywords:
ELECTION
by CNB