ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995               TAG: 9512080087
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press 

CABINET SECRETARY WON'T SEEK GOP POST

Secretary of Administration Michael Thomas said Wednesday night he is withdrawing as a candidate for the chairmanship of the state Republican Party.

Critics had charged that holding both jobs would be a conflict of interest between Thomas' duty to the taxpayers and his partisan political position.

``In reality, there was no conflict between the two,'' Thomas said in a telephone interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. ``But the perception was being created and would probably persist. There are people who wanted to create a controversy.''

Thomas, 35, had the support of Republican Gov. George Allen in seeking the GOP post.

State employee groups this week joined the Thomas critics, saying his election as chairman could further politicize the state work force.

The current chairman, Patrick McSweeney, also opposed Thomas' candidacy. McSweeney and Allen have been at odds on several issues.

``There are people who seemed very willing to use that as a means to thwart what we're trying to do in this administration,'' Thomas said. ``The reason that I'm working with Governor Allen - the reason I got into politics in the first place - was to help see our principles become public policy. The perception can be damaging to your larger goal.''

After Thomas announced his decision, Allen said he had several people in mind for the GOP job.

Rumored as possible candidates for the party chairmanship are Mike Farris, the failed candidate for lieutenant governor in 1993; Pat Mullins, the Fairfax County GOP chairman; and Del. M. Kirkland Cox of Colonial Heights, an Allen ally.

Farris said last week he was not interested in the position.

Thomas, who managed Allen's 1993 campaign for governor, is responsible for the nuts and bolts of government, including hiring and firing and state purchasing. He oversees about a dozen agencies with a combined annual budget of $385 million.

Thomas' candidacy was seen as a way for Allen to control the party apparatus. In 1993, Allen tried to depose McSweeney and failed.

The party chairman will be elected at a convention in June. The chairman serves for four years. The job pays nothing.

LENGTH: Short :   50 lines