THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 16, 1996 TAG: 9604160304
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN
STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
The city's Republican leaders, anxious to find out how the 55 candidates for School Board and City Council fit into themes dear to their party, will hold a first-ever party caucus tonight at the Central Library.
Party leaders stressed Monday that the caucus is not a first step toward an eventual party endorsement, even though the caucus is being organized by Republican leaders.
Instead, the ad hoc caucus is intended to give voters a better understanding of how Republican ideals apply to a slate of largely unknown candidates, most of whom have entered the political arena without any party affiliation.
The caucus begins at 6:45 p.m. and is open to the public. Each candidate will be given up to three minutes to speak.
``This is not sanctioned or affiliated with the Republican city committee of Virginia Beach,'' said John Paul ``J.P.'' Godsey, the newly elected chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party.
``We voted not to endorse, and that is still the case,'' he said. ``Why not? There are always pros and cons. Those against it do not want partisan races for local elections, while there are some within the party who want the party to endorse candidates.''
While the party will not endorse, the caucus will and its recommendations are expected to come several days after the caucus ends and organizers have weeded through the candidates' responses and counted ballots.
Only Republican Party members will be allowed to vote. Party affiliation will be checked against lists maintained by the party, such as delegate lists or membership in a party committee. To win a caucus endorsement, a candidate must earn 50 percent plus one of all who cast a ballot.
Based on that system of balloting, there could be multiple endorsements for one seat.
Once endorsed, a candidate is expected to not claim party endorsement, but caucus backing only.
Caucus organizers are made up of existing and previous members of the Virginia Beach Republican Party's City Committee, which is generally made up of activists who work on Republican campaigns, delegates to the state convention, and members of party clubs and organizations.
``These people work on campaigns,'' said Wally Erb, a caucus organizer.
``We're trying to get these activists together with the candidates. We're not going to endorse because the city committee is not reflective of all Republicans in Virginia Beach.''
``This is a first,'' he added. ``It may not be without mistakes, but you don't know where you're going unless you start somewhere.''
The party is organized around the local party chairman, Godsey, under whom is the executive committee, its chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and representatives from the legislative districts who are picked by elected Republican representatives. There are also representatives of Republican clubs. Altogether, the executive committee has 19 members.
This committee works with the City Committee, which can have up to 148 members, some of whom are precinct workers and executive committee members.
There are 45 School Board and 10 City Council candidates. Six council candidates and 29 School Board candidates answered questions posed by the city committee. All 35 are expected to attend the caucus.
Among the key questions for council candidates are positions on separate School Board taxing authority, collective bargaining rights for city workers, and whether the city should accept federal money under the Goals 2000 program.
Similar questions were put to School Board candidates, including queries on their positions on gateway testing, Outcome Based Education and voluntary school prayer.
The party's decision not to endorse contrasts that of the Virginia Beach Education Association, which last week recommended candidates in the four contested races for the School Board and the only incumbent running for re-election is among them.
``The VBEA had all their candidates elected last time and look what it got us,'' said party chairman Godsey.
``The proof is in the pudding. Hopefully, this time we'll have some conservative representation.'' ILLUSTRATION: THE ORGANIZERS
Caucus organizers are made up of:
Existing and previous members of the Virginia Beach Republican
Party's City Committee, which is generally made up of activists who
work on Republican campaigns
Delegates to the state convention
Members of party clubs and organizations
KEYWORDS: CAUCUS REPUBLICAN by CNB