The Franklin News-Post
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Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
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| After nearly 70 years, Franklin County will not have a Goode on the ballot |
Virgil H. Goode Jr. |
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
After a 70-year run, the Goode dynasty in Franklin County politics may have ended -- barring a political surprise and political rebirth.
For seven decades, Franklin County voters have been casting ballots on election day for a Goode, a household name in politics in the county and the Fifth District.
From 1940 until 1972, Franklin County voters regularly re-elected VirgilﾠH. Goode Sr., a Democrat, first as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for eight years, and then as Franklin County commonwealth's attorney for 24 years.
Goode was known as a skilled politician and gifted public speaker who could fire up voters with his political rhetoric. He had a statewide reputation for his evangelical speaking style and political skills.
He was Mr. Democrat in Franklin County politics in an era when Republicans held few elected offices in the county.
For 35 years -- from 1973 to 2008 -- Franklin County voters regularly re-elected Goode's son, Virgil H. Goode Jr., first to the Virginia Senate, and then to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Goode, the junior, served 23 years in the Virginia Senate and 12 years in the House of Representatives.
Like his father, the son began his political career as a Democrat. But the son became an Independent along the way, and then switched to the Republican party late in his political career.
Goode's political affiliation made little difference at the ballot box, however, as he has rolled up huge margins in winning new terms.
Until the 2008 election, the Goode name still held political magic, whether as a Democrat or Republican. But in one of the biggest upsets in the nation, Democrat Tom Perriello narrowly defeated Goode in the November election.
Many of Goode's supporters had assumed that he would run again in 2010 and try to recapture the Fifth District seat that he lost by only 727 votes.
In March, he filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, but said he was focused on the 2009 elections.
"I am still undecided," Goode said in March. "I filled out the paperwork so I could accept donations and make expenditures."
Goode said he had received voluntary donations from people who were encouraging him to run. Candidates who receive or spend more than $5,000 must file a statement of candidacy, according to FEC guidelines.
"I have and will continue to be active in political affairs," he said in March. "But there are a lot of issues to be considered before I make any decision about running. I really appreciate all the people who are encouraging me to run again."
Ten days ago, Goode surprised his supporters by issuing a statement that he will not run for Congress in 2010.
Goode has declined to give the reasons for his decision, but said he looks forward to supporting and working for a conservative Republican in 2010.
Several Republican office holders in the Fifth District have been mentioned as potential candidates for the 2010 election.
They include State Sen. Robert Hurt of Chatham, whose 19th Senate district includes Franklin County.
The 19th Senatorial District also include Pittsylvania County, Danville and parts of Campbell County.
Hurt, who has been in the Senate for two years, also served six years in the House of Delegates.
Hurt, an attorney, represented the 16th House District, which includes Pittsylvania County, Henry County and Martinsville. He is also a former member of the Chatham Town Council.
Hurt said he has been approached about running for Congress, but he is focusing on helping Republican Bob McDonnell get elected governor this year and helping Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville) get re-elected.
Other names being mentioned as possible GOP candidates include Del. Rob Bell (R-Albemarle County); Cordel Faulk, director of communications for the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia; and Ken Boyd, a Republican member of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.
One Republican had already announced his candidacy before Goode said that he would not run.
Bradley S. Rees, a Bedford County factory workers, said he will seek the GOP nomination. Rees said he is seeking the GOP nomination because the party has strayed from its conservative roots. The current tax system is unfair, he said.
Rees, 31, said he supports the Fair Tax, which would eliminate income taxes and establish a national sales tax. He is the former Lynchburg Area Community Coordinator for Americans for Fair Taxation.
Albermarle County GOP Chairman said there could be 11 to 12 candidates in the running for the Republican nomination to challenge Perriello. |
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