ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON AND RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITERS
Franklin County's favorite son is on his way to Washington.
Democrat Virgil Goode's victory Tuesday in the 5th Congressional District was hardly as low key as his country store to country store campaign. With 87 percent of precincts reporting, the longtime state senator swept with an overwhelming 60 percent of the vote and it looked as if he would win all 21 localities in the vast district, which runs from Charlottesville to Danville.
He easily outdistanced Republican George Landrith who took about 36 percent of the vote. Tex Wood of the Virginia Independent Party got about 4 percent.
The victory speech was typical Goode, and just as low key as his campaign. He didn't criticize anyone and he didn't revel in his win. He simply pledged to work on a balanced budget amendment, fight against Medicare cuts and work to get transportation money for the district. Then he looked out at the crowd, and said, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here."
Goode, a pro-gun, pro-tobacco, anti-abortion conservative, will replace Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nellysford, who is stepping down to run for lieutenant governor next year.
Support for the first Congressman from Franklin County in 75 years was mind-boggling, as usual, on his home turf.
More than 15,600 of the county's 20,000 registered voters turned out, and more than 13,500 - or 86 percent - voted for Goode. Goode got 94 percent of the county's vote when he challenged U.S. Sen. Charles Robb for the Democratic nomination in a 1994 primary.
Support for Goode in Southside Virginia and neighboring counties Tuesday was also exceptionally heavy: about 84 percent in Henry County, about 69 percent in Patrick County and about 55 percent in Bedford County. In Albemarle County, Landrith's home, Goode took 54 percent.
Mirroring Goode's unconventional, rustic character, his victory party was held in an antique warehouse in Glade Hill and it had the air of a church social. More than 500 folks, from senior citizens to infants, packed in, some coming by tour bus to share in the good cheer. Many brought homemade baked goods like brownies and stacked them on fold-out tables under signs with slogans like "Thomas Jefferson Would be Proud" and "Goode Government is Good Government."
Charlie Davis, a Richmond tobacco lobbyist who grew up in Franklin County, said, "I had to get here tonight to see the Franklin County boy who made good. We definitely need more people in Washington who think like Virgil."
For the past few months, Goode has spent every day driving around the sprawling district, appearing at community events to slap backs, hand out his trademark colored pencils and talk politics.
The demographics of the 5th, many thought, favored Goode's downhome, middle-of-the-road style. But the big question that surrounded his campaign was whether the Rocky Mount lawyer could wage the same handshaking tour in the 5th that he used so successfully in his smaller state Senate district.
For the most part, Goode never altered his traditional plan, though he did raise more than $400,000 and bought a lot of television advertising, something he's rarely taken advantage of before.
In fact, Goode even gathered the support of traditionally Republican leaning groups including the National Rifle Association, which congratulated Goode Tuesday before his victory had been announced.
The most conservative Democrat in the state Senate, Goode has emphasized his record of voting for what he thinks is right, not what either major party wants him to do.
Voters gave Goode a hopeful endorsement Tuesday.
"I've just been happy with [Goode] at the state level. He tends to have more ideas I agree with, though I do disagree with some of the things he's done. I'm not too happy with his stance supporting tobacco," said Barry Nunley, a teacher from Bedford,
Virginia Bohnaker, a housewife from Forest, said, "I'm hoping he's not going to be as conservative as the Republicans. That's why I voted for Goode. Whoever the Christian Coalition is supporting is usually who I vote against."
Landrith, an Albemarle County lawyer, has now lost two straight elections in the 5th, though he came within six points of beating incumbent Payne in 1994. He lost by wide margins to Goode in areas he won against Payne including Pittsylvania County and Danville.
The mood was subdued at the Sheraton in Charlottesville, where less than 100 Landrith supporters witnessed their candidate's numbing defeat.
"I feel like a 10-year-old boy who stubbed his toe in the dark. I'm a little to old to cry but it hurts too much to laugh," said a tired and disheveled Landrith, holding tears back and hugging one of his five kids.
Landrith said he planned to leave Monday for a week's vacation and then would return to practicing law and coaching his children's baseball teams. "I'm not planning on running again," but, "then again, four years ago, I never thought about running for Congress twice," he said.
Landrith and others on his staff complained about a lack of fund-raising dollars that hurt their ability to compete against Goode, who out raised Landrith 2 to 1.
"There was a feeling Landrith could beat L.F. Payne" in a rematch, said Landrith's campaign manager, Alaric Gust. But after Payne announced his retirement, Gust said, "From day one, everyone knew Goode would be a very tough opponent."
Goode, who turned 50 last month, plans to resign his state Senate seat soon.
The race for Goode's senate seat will draw statewide attention and decide which party holds a majority in the senate, now tied with 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats.
Democrats will likely run either Del. Ward Armstrong or Del. Roscoe Reynolds, both of Henry County. Republicans are expected to run Del. Allen Dudley of Rocky Mount.
Staff Writer S.D. Harrington contributed to this story.
LENGTH: Long : 106 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Rep. L.F. Payne (left) gives Virgil Goode his Blue Dogby CNBlapel pin after Goode's victory speech Tuesday. The Blue Dogs are a
coalition of 21 conservative Democrats in Congress. color. KEYWORDS: ELECTION