ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701200034
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
If the city Democratic Committee meeting Thursday night was any harbinger of 1997 politics, local Republicans may be able to gain some ground in city elections of four constitutional officers in November.
Democrats emerged from their meeting so widely split over the nominating process that there will be both a Democratic primary and a mass-meeting nominating convention later this year.
Among other things, here's what happened:
*The Democratic nomination for the commissioner of revenue race will be made by a primary election June 10. Marsha Compton Fielder, who has held the post since 1994, insisted on a running in a primary rather than face a potential challenger in a mass meeting.
*Party nominations for sheriff, commonwealth's attorney and treasurer will be made at a mass meeting June 7. Alvin Hudson, Donald Caldwell and David Anderson hold those posts now.
*Jeff Artis, a GOP candidate for General Assembly in 1995 and City Council in 1996, was formally voted onto the city Democratic Committee. The black activist and ex-Republican last year harshly criticized the city GOP for failing to support his ill-fated council campaign.
*Fourteen other new members were suddenly added to the Democratic committee before the voting, apparently the result of various factions trying to stack the panel and influence its vote.
*Many Democrats left angry at Fielder, claiming the split nominating process was a threat to party solidarity.
It's been widely rumored for months that Fielder would face a party challenge for the commissioner of revenue nomination from Sherman Holland, who has worked in the revenue office for nearly 16 years.
Holland said Friday he has made no decision.
Holland has worked hard in campaigns for U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum of Roanoke and state Sen. John Edwards of Roanoke, and has strong support within the party, Democratic regulars say.
"It's unusual," said City Councilman William White, who attended the fractious, two-hour meeting in City Hall. "But Marsha's the incumbent, and she led the charge for [a primary]. I really don't have a problem if more people get to participate in it."
Fielder won the party's 1994 nomination at a mass meeting in a surprise upset of then-Assistant Treasurer David Anderson.
Now, however, she says she believes a primary is the most democratic way to choose who will represent the party in the November election. Under party rules, the choice is up to the incumbent.
"A primary is more about issues," Fielder said. "I can run on my record. A [mass meeting] is more about personalities. I think most people know that a caucus is controlled by a few hundred people."
Some colleagues disagree.
``I think Marsha doesn't trust the mass-meeting system," said the Rev. Carl Tinsley, who sits on the committee. "Even though she won it that way before, she thinks she doesn't have enough support on the city Democratic Committee. It's splintered the leadership, to some degree, just to satisfy one person."
Onzlee Ware, the Sixth District Democratic chairman, calls a primary a "logistical nightmare" in which independents and Republicans can vote. Thus, the winner can be somebody "other than a true Democrat," he said.
Besides that, Ware noted, primaries are expensive. If Holland or nobody else challenges Fielder, the city will still have to stage a primary. Gilbert Butler, secretary of the city Electoral Board, estimates that a primary election will cost city taxpayers $18,000 whether Fielder is challenged or not.
Republicans, meanwhile, are sitting on the sidelines and laughing. "It seems to me people are just standing in line to challenge [Fielder],'' chuckled city GOP Chairman Ralph Smith.
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Fielder. color.by CNB