THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510170068
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARC DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Clyde A. Turner, an independent candidate for Circuit Court clerk, dropped out of the race last week, although his name will still appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.
That leaves four candidates in the clerk's race: Independents Malcolm Gaines and Ben Rogerson, Republican Albert Teich and Democrat Randy Wright.
Turner, 35, a real estate investor and businessman from Campostella, said he dropped out because there were two black candidates - he and Gaines - and ``I feel it would be very difficult for either of us to win with two of us in the race.''
He did not, however, formally endorse Gaines.
Turner was backed by the Rainbow Coalition but was not active in the campaign. He did not attend candidate forums or respond to interview requests. He entered the campaign early, when Wright was the only other candidate.
In a written statement, Turner said: ``There are two African-American candidates competing for the same race. This might influence the African-American vote to be divided. Martin Luther King taught us to choose our battle. He also demonstrated the power we may gain by uniting. We must speak with one voice.''
Turner said he has been asked to run for City Council next year but has not decided whether he will. by CNB