THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 15, 1995 TAG: 9504150292
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
The Rev. Levi E. Willis II, an opponent of riverboat gambling, is seeking the Democratic nomination for House of Delegates in the 89th District, making him the only challenger to Norfolk's incumbent Democratic slate.
Willis is the son of Bishop L.E. Willis Sr., an influential Democratic leader, minister and businessman.
The younger Willis, 41, who announced his candidacy Friday, hopes to wrest the nomination from Del. Jerrauld C. Jones, who has served seven years.
Friday was the deadline for Democrats to file for a June 13 primary.
Jones was patron of a General Assembly bill to hold a statewide referendum on whether to legalize riverboat gambling in Virginia. He withdrew the legislation in February after strong opposition, but promised to try again next year.
Willis seeks to make riverboat gambling one of three issues. In recent weeks, his father has allowed guest hosts on his WPCE morning radio talk show to sound off against Jones on riverboat gambling.
``We believe that riverboat gambling will take advantage of the underprivileged who are desperate in life,'' the younger Willis said Friday.
Willis listed his other two issues: opposition to tearing down or relocating Norfolk's public housing neighborhoods, and opposition to City Councilman W. Randy Wright running for clerk of court.
Neither public housing nor Wright's candidacy for clerk of court is a General Assembly matter. But Willis said: ``I believe that I'll have a lot to do with whether or not the public opinion will be behind these kind of decisions (by) being in public office.''
On public housing, Willis said: ``We have seen in the past that the city has promised that if they would tear down certain underprivileged housing that they would replace it with affordable housing for the poor, and this has not been done in the past. So we're against it until we see some kind of real proposal that will help people, the poor people that is.''
No formal proposal exists to tear down Norfolk's public housing.
However, City Councilman Herbert M. Collins Sr., co-chairman of a new task force on public housing, has not ruled out some demolition in efforts to better blend the complexes and tenants into the overall life of the city.
On Wright's candidacy for clerk of court, Willis said: ``Randy Wright has not been for the poor people in the past . . . It's a matter with the fact that he has not supported the black community in the past.''
The 89th district generally runs through the middle of Norfolk and includes a section of Chesapeake.
So far, no Republican has declared in the 89th. Republicans have a May 1 filing deadline for a May 20 mass meeting at Granby High School.
In Virginia Beach, there was no word of any Democratic primary contests. In one race, the 7th Senate District, at least two Republicans will face each other.
Two candidates, Edward Schrock and Wallace ``Wally'' Erb, have filed to run for the Republican nomination.
Erb, 50, a systems engineer for Unisys, ran unsuccessfully for the City Council last year.
``I've been a voice for the people in Virginia Beach for quite a while,'' Erb said. ``I've been a voice for reduction in taxes and responsible government. I see that we need that in Richmond.''
Schrock, 54, is retired from the Navy and a stock brokerage. He believes a Republican majority is needed in the General Assembly ``to end the gridlock.''
``I spent a considerable amount of time in Richmond during the most recent legislative session,'' he said. ``Frankly, I was appalled at the arrogance. Many things were cast along party lines, not what's good for the commonwealth.''
State Sen. Clarence A. Holland is the incumbent in the 7th District, and he is expected to run for re-election, apparently unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
No other Virginia Beach candidates' announcements or plans were available.
In Portsmouth, there will be a Democratic primary for the job of clerk of the Circuit Court.
Walter M. ``Square'' Edmonds, 61, has served as clerk for 25 years.
Cynthia P. Morrison is running for the Democratic nomination for the position, which pays $84,000.
Morrison, 41, is married to Chief Circuit Judge Johnny Morrison. She is a supervisor with Bell Atlantic of Virginia. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN, Staff
The Rev. Levi E. Willis II, left, announced Friday he will seek the
Democratic nod for the House of Delegates in the 89th District.
KEYWORDS: HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE CANDIDATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY by CNB