THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604210113
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
William E. ``Wes'' Swindell Jr., running for Superward 7 in a heavily contested race, has been endorsed by a leading African-American organization and several labor interests.
The Concerned Citizens for Political Education of Norfolk announced its endorsement Friday. The organization traces back to Evelyn T. Butts, Judge Joseph A. Jordan Jr. and Del. William P. Robinson Sr., who were influential black leaders during the civil-rights era.
The organization is still active in city politics; it endorsed Councilman W. Randy Wright in his unsuccessful bid for clerk of Circuit Court last November.
``Concerned Citizens is very happy to endorse Wes,'' chairman James L. Rivers said in a prepared statement. ``His record of past achievement and his demonstrated knowledge of the workings of city government make him an easy choice.''
Swindell has also been endorsed by the Norfolk Chapter of the United Brotherhood of Fire Fighters, an affiliate of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters; the Norfolk Police Union, Local 412; and the Greater Tidewater Central Labor Council.
Superward 7 is now represented by the Rev. Joseph N. Green, who is retiring.
A majority African-American district, it includes Poplar Hall, Sherwood Forest, parts of Norview, Coronado, Green Hill Farms, Lafayette-Winona, Park Place, Lamberts Point and most public housing areas.
Swindell is running against Daun S. Hester, Algie T. Howell Jr., Daniel E. Montague, H. Marks Richard and Horace T. ``Tommy'' White. The election is May 7. ILLUSTRATION: ``Wes'' Swindell, in Superward 7,
is backed by a major black group and three labor groups.
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL RACE by CNB