ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601130004
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
Former Roanoke state Sen. Granger Macfarlane, swept out of office in a Republican tide in 1991, is eyeing another campaign - this time for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 1997.
Macfarlane said he has already begun talking up his possible candidacy with party activists around the state and plans to travel to Richmond to meet with former General Assembly colleagues to take further soundings.
Although Macfarlane said it will be spring before he makes a formal decision, he was sounding like a candidate in a recent interview.
Macfarlane, the 56-year-old president of Eastern Motor Inns, a motel company, said he would offer a businessman's perspective and geographical diversity to the Democrats' statewide ticket.
"The potential for that office has been greatly underestimated," Macfarlane said of the state's part-time No.2 job, whose only constitutional duty is to preside over the state Senate. "I think it is a perfect opportunity for a businessperson, especially a small- or medium-sized business, to use the levers of government to substantially improve the economic climate."
He said he envisioned using the lieutenant governor's job as an "ombudsman" to help businesses interested in expanding in Virginia to "cut through the red tape" of state regulations.
Macfarlane also stressed that Democrats need to reach out to voters in Western Virginia, who have increasingly voted Republican in recent statewide elections.
He noted that the Democrats' 1997 ticket could have a distinct Northern Virginia tilt: Current Lt. Gov. Don Beyer of Alexandria is expected to be the party's nominee for governor, and 1993 attorney general candidate Bill Dolan of Arlington is said to be considering a second run.
Meanwhile, two of the three candidates already mentioned for lieutenant governor hail from Northern Virginia or close by: Fairfax County lawyer and former state Secretary of Education Jim Dyke, Spotsylvania County state Sen. Edd Houck, and Virginia Power lobbyist and former state Secretary of Health and Human Resources Eva Teig of Richmond.
Macfarlane said he sees the prospect that he would offer geographical diversity as his "door-opener" with party activists.
Macfarlane was elected to the Roanoke Valley's state Senate seat in 1983 and was re-elected handily in 1987. But he was upset in 1991 by Brandon Bell, making Macfarlane one of seven Democratic senators who lost their seats in that Republican year.
As a legislator, Macfarlane was best-known as a maverick who clashed with other Roanoke Valley Democrats on judicial selections and was an outspoken critic of state funding for Explore Park. He also earned a reputation for his tenacity and work ethic, often reading bills that other legislators ignored.
Meanwhile, the most active Republican seeking his party's nomination for lieutenant governor is Northern Virginia businessman Coleman Andrews.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Macfarlane. color. KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB