The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Monday, October 7, 1996               TAG: 9610070074
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   50 lines

POLITICAL PROS AND CONS TO TAKE THE STAGE AT FORUM

When it comes right down to it, folks care less about how much a candidate knows than about how much he or she cares.

That sentiment was expressed by Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, one of three elected officials who will field questions from citizens at this evening's panel discussion on running for public office.

Del. Thelma Drake of Norfolk and Norfolk Sheriff Bobby McCabe also will be part of the forum sponsored by Concerned Citizens for Better Government and Neighborhood Network. The session, free and open to the public, will be at the Norview United Methodist Church social hall at 7 p.m.

The office holders will focus on the cons as well as the pros of seeking elected posts: time, money, sacrifices and compromises will be weighed against the benefits of pursuing a career in politics.

Lucas, a Democrat from Portsmouth, says it was the ``snippy'' attitude of the Portsmouth City Council that, in 1983, precipitated her first bid for public office.

A regular at council sessions, Lucas had approached the council wanting to know why 300 displaced families were living in a boarded-up school building instead of in more suitable quarters.

``They said, `She thinks she's an eighth member of council,' '' Lucas said. ``It was their arrogance'' that made her think she could do the job better.

Lucas lost that first election, but prevailed the next year. She sat on the council for eight years, the first African-American woman to hold a council seat in Portsmouth.

In 1992, Lucas ran successfully for the state Senate. She is one of only two black women to so serve Virginia. She said she believes her concern for people's quality of life has made her successful as a public official.

Del. Thelma Drake also believes that community involvement is the main impetus for further service in an official capacity.

``It's a natural progression,'' said Drake, a Republican elected to Virginia's General Assembly last year. She represents the northeast section of Norfolk and Chesapeake Beach in Virginia Beach. ``I was involved with Granby High School - president of the PTA - and I felt like I could accomplish more'' in an elected capacity, she said.

Drake said that when friends and acquaintances first suggested she run for office, she was incredulous.

``Then I decided that if I didn't do it, I would always wonder'' if an opportunity had been missed, she said.

Drake lost that election. But two years later, she won.

``I didn't give up, kept doing the same things,'' Drake said.

As for the drawbacks, ``The biggest sacrifice is that it takes you away from your family,'' said Drake. ``It's a lot of hard work and hours.'' by CNB