ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 TAG: 9604230117
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
A ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY UNION LEADER is the first Democrat this term to contest Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke. A second may follow suit this week.
Flanked by a handful of labor leaders and the last Democrat to represent Roanoke in Congress, a Rockbridge County union president declared his candidacy Monday for the Democratic nomination for the 6th Congressional District seat.
Jeffrey Grey, who heads the 200-member Local 3-573 of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union, said he will focus his campaign on renewing communities and on the plight of working families.
The 31-year-old communication technician for Columbia Gas appeared outside the city library on Jefferson Street during a campaign swing through the 6th District, which stretches north from Roanoke to Rockingham County and includes Lynchburg.
"Like many other working people, I feel I have been short-changed by the Republican Party," Grey said, criticizing the GOP-controlled Congress for squelching an increase in the minimum wage and slashing increases for Medicare.
"We can all agree we need a balanced budget, but we don't need to drain the lifeblood of our communities [to achieve it],'' he said.
In Roanoke, Grey received a strong endorsement from former Rep. Jim Olin, a Roanoke Democrat who served in Congress from 1982 until his retirement in 1992.
But it appears the Columbia Gas worker is little-known among some other Roanoke Democrats. Party leaders such as state Sen. John Edwards and Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, both D-Roanoke, say they've heard of him but don't know him well.
Grey's announcement follows an intensive search by the 6th District Democratic Committee to find someone to challenge Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, who was first elected in 1992.
Despite his freshman status, Goodlatte coasted to re-election in the 1994 congressional election - much to the embarrassment of Democrats, who couldn't find a candidate to challenge him.
Gray pointedly avoided criticizing Goodlatte during his announcement speech or in answering questions afterward.
But he drew a contrast between himself and the congressman, a lawyer who lives in South Roanoke.
"I am a working person who lives with the everyday strife that all working people do," Grey said. "I'm the only one in the race who can say that."
He's also described himself as "pro-choice" on abortion and against taxpayer-subsidized vouchers for students attending private schools.
Grey grew up in Louisville, Ky., and has working-class roots that may make him attractive to the labor vote. His father worked in a paint factory; his mother was a department store clerk.
After graduating from high school in 1983, Grey enlisted in the Navy and served until 1987. He won commendations for his service aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer that was deployed in the Mediterranean Sea during a brief military confrontation with Libya in the 1980s.
After receiving an honorable discharge, Grey moved to Lexington and took a job with Columbia Gas as a telecommunication repairman. He was elected president of his union local in 1995.
Grey was elected to the Rockbridge County Democratic Committee in 1995 and is a former deacon, Sunday school teacher and youth director at Kerrs Creek Baptist Church.
He and his wife, Debbie, a special education teacher at Rockbridge County High School, have been married 11 years and have two children.
Democratic leaders such as Edwards and 6th District Chairman Onzlee Ware say they expect Bill Helsley, a Harrisonburg lawyer and Democratic activist, also will seek the nomination.
Helsley said last week he would announce his intentions shortly.
Democrats will choose their nominee at the 6th District Democratic convention May 11 in Roanoke.
Republicans expect to renominate Goodlatte on May 18 at a convention in Bridgewater.
JEFFREY GREY
Seeking Democratic nomination for 6th District seat in Congress
Age: 31
Residence: Rockbridge County
Birthplace: Louisville, Ky.
Occupation: Telecommunication repairman for Columbia Gas. President, Local 3-573, Oil, Chemical, Atomic Workers International Union.
Family: Married, two children.
Political background: First try for elected office.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: WAYNE DEEL/Staff. Jeffrey Grey announces his 6thby CNBDistrict candidacy Monday and is endorsed by former Congressman Jim
Olin (right). color. KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESS