THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190393
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 39 lines
James Dyke, a former state secretary of education, said Wednesday that he will not oppose retiring U.S. Rep. L.F. Payne for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 1997.
Dyke said his decision was personal, not political.
``Given my family commitments and professional commitments, this is not the best time to put everything on hold to run for this,'' said Dyke, a Fairfax County lawyer and father of three teen-age girls.
``My family said they were willing to support me if I decided to run, but I felt it would not be appropriate to ask them to do so.''
Dyke said the outpouring of support for Payne's candidacy from Democratic leaders was not a factor in his decision. Sixty-three of 72 Democratic legislators and 10 of 11 party district chairmen have endorsed Payne.
``I have known Jim a long time, and I respect the decision he has made and know he will be available to do a great deal of public service in some capacity in the future,'' Payne said from his office in Washington.
Dyke, 49, said he hopes to remain active promoting education improvements and economic development. He said he is keeping open the option of seeking statewide office in 2001.
It now appears likely Payne will be unopposed for the nomination. But that does not mean he can relax, Payne said.
``I intended to run very hard to get the nomination. . . . I need a lot of grassroots support still to get nominated and to get elected. I need to work for that.''
Payne, 51, announced in February that he would not seek another term in Congress. The developer of the Wintergreen resort planned to return home to Nelson County and concentrate on his business and family, but he said Democratic leaders recruited him to run for lieutenant governor.
KEYWORDS: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE by CNB