THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140403
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Some Democratic activists want the state party to consider whether to hold its own primary, a strategy the activists say could imperil Republican Sen. John W. Warner's bid for a fourth term.
At a meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee on Saturday, the party will decide whether to choose its Senate nominee June 7 and 8 at its convention in Hampton or in a primary June 11.
The Republicans will have a primary June 11 to decide between Warner and his opponent, James C. Miller III, an economist who was President Reagan's budget director.
Some Democratic strategists believe concurrent primaries would boost Miller's chances against Warner. Democratic leaders believe Miller would be easier to beat in November than Warner.
``That is a very good argument for a primary, but at this point what I am hearing is pretty much convention because we're going to have one anyway,'' said Sue Wrenn, state Democratic Party chairwoman.
In Virginia, voters are not required to state their affiliations to vote in a primary. Warner is appealing to non-Republican voters to support him in the GOP primary, but no voter could participate in more than one primary on the same day, according to state law.
``I think that a Democratic primary probably helps Jim Miller for the Republicans,'' said William B. Harvey, Albemarle County Democratic Party chairman. He said the Democrats, meanwhile, would gain name recognition.
Mark Warner of Alexandria, the former state Democratic Party chairman, is vying for the nomination, along with former U.S. Rep Leslie L. Byrne of Falls Church and Lyndon LaRouche follower Nancy Spannaus. Mark Warner and John Warner are not related.
``I think probably a primary would get Mark Warner more statewide exposure and get more people involved,'' said George H. Gilliam of Charlottesville, a former Democratic chairman from the 7th District.
Some GOP leaders say John Warner is disloyal, chiefly because he did not back Oliver L. North in his unsuccessful 1994 Senate race. Warner's moderate tendencies also chafe the party's conservative wing.
Warner opposed a nominating convention, where his enemies could have had more control over the process and non-Republicans could not participate. He battled his own party before it approved holding the primary.
Virginia Republican Chairman Patrick M. McSweeney, who opposes John Warner, said two primaries held the same day ``would be a very interesting dynamic. I think their putative favorite, Mark Warner, would benefit from having a primary.''
KEYWORDS: DEMOCRATIC PARTY VIRGINIA PRIMARY ELECTIONS by CNB