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

DATE: SUNDAY, November 12, 1995                   TAG: 9511130061
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

WILKINS KEEPS MINORITY LEADER JOB

The Amherst Republican was challenged by Del. Andy Guest of Front Royal, whom Wilkins ousted as minority leader in 1992, at a caucus meeting at the Wintergreen Resort.

Scott Leake, spokesman for the Republican Legislative Caucus, declined to reveal the vote totals but said the meeting was ``quite harmonious.'' The meeting was closed to the public, and the vote was by secret ballot, Leake said.

The Republicans had hoped to gain their first majority in both the House and Senate in Tuesday's elections. They gained a 20-20 split in the Senate, but remain the minority party in the House.

Guest last week said he was concerned that without the majority, Wilkins' confrontational style would not serve the state well.

``We need someone willing to do some negotiating and coalition-building,'' Guest said. ``It takes 50 or 51 votes [for a majority]. We haven't got enough votes.''

Republicans hold 47 seats in the House of Delegates, and Democrats 52. There is one independent.

- Associated Press