THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995                   TAG: 9505210047
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Medium:   70 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A Metro News story Sunday on the race for the Norfolk clerk of court position erroneously referred to Randy Wright as the Democratic incumbent. Wright, a Norfolk City councilman, is the Democratic contender for clerk of court. William T. Ryan is the current clerk of court and is retiring. Also, the same story said that Mary Albertson Grigg was defeated by George Schaefer for the 86th District nomination. Grigg withdrew from the competition before the vote. Correction published Tuesday, May 23, 1995. ***************************************************************** GOP NOMINATES ALBERT TEICH TO RUN FOR CLERK OF COURT POSITION

It was the city's largest turnout at a Republican nominating session since 1981, and most of the nearly 500 folks were on hand Saturday to select an opponent for Democratic incumbent Randy Wright for the clerk of court's seat.

Albert Teich Jr., a 66-year-old attorney, won the nomination over Ted Baker, a businessman. Later, both men joined in a vow to ensure Wright's defeat.

``I consider this to be a crusade to save the city from someone who said he would use this office as a means of political control,'' Baker told the crowd. ``We're going to save this city from political zealots.''

Teich, a lawyer for 38 years, said his experience makes him the best candidate for the position. He also taught law at Old Dominion University for 35 years.

``No other candidate has as much experience as I have,'' Teich said. ``We don't want political bosses in the Clerk's office.''

He went on to ``demand'' that Wright resign from the City Council ``because he's made it a partisan place and we have a non-partisan council.''

Teich is the only Republican ever elected to the House of Delegates from Norfolk. He served from 1972 to 1974. He is also a former chairman of the Norfolk Republican party.

It took two votes but James W. Sherrill Jr. defeated Ewin A. Ottinger in the race for the nomination to run against Del. Thomas W. Moss, now Speaker of the House, in the 88th District.

``I am the most politically threatening candidate to the Democratic Party,'' Sherrill told the 88 GOP delegates who met at Granby High School. ``They don't want me to run against Tom Moss because they know I can beat him.''

Sherrill, who owns Old Dominion Inn, ran unsuccessfully for City Council against now-Mayor Paul D. Fraim.

Sherrill said he is a consultant on the Governor's Strike Force for Government Reform, gambling, welfare reform, tourism, parole abolition and local budget issues.

There had been three contenders for the nomination for the 88th District seat. In a first round of votes, George R. ``Bud'' West finished third behind Sherrill and Ottinger and was eliminated from the race. Sherrill won on the second ballot.

George Schaefer, defeated Mary Albertson Grigg for the nomination - and a second run - against Del. George H. Heilig Jr. in the 86th District.

Schaefer, chairman of the Norfolk Republican Party, ran unsuccessfully for House of Delegates against Heilig in 1991.

Schaefer works in public affairs for Sheriff Robert J. McCabe.

KEYWORDS: REPUBLICAN PARTY NORFOLK by CNB