Evening star., 1941-07-06
Democrat BIocs
To Back Darden
For Governor
Both Byrd and Price
Indorse Candidate
In 3-Cornered Race
By ALEXANDER PRESTON.

Leaders of both factions of the
Democratic party in Virginia will
unite to support former Representa-
tive Colgate w. Darden, jr., in his
race for the Democratic nomina-
ton for Governor, it was learned
last night.
From a reliable source, unusually
close to Gov. Price. it was learned
that the States Chief Executive
has told intimates he will
support Mr.. Darden in the trl-cor-
nered race. which includes State
Senator Vivian l.. Page OF Norfolk
and State Senator Hunsdon Cary
OF Henrico County.
Leader Of the second powerful
Democratic faction is Senator Byrd.
who made his first public declara-
ton of his Endorsement of Mr.. Dar-
oen in talk at Franklin, Va,
Friday.
81 Seek 80 Nominations.
Meanwhile, Gov. Price returned
to the Executive Mansion in Rich
mond yesterday and was noncom-
initial on a public statement of his
support in the gubernatorial race.
The Governor still was bothered
ov dislocated finger. injured when
he fell in mounting a speakers
stand at the Governors Confer
ence in Boston earlier last week.
Although the full membership CT
the House of Delegates is to be
elected this fall. the August S Demo-
cratic primary will involve the
nomination of only 80 candidates.
survey by the Associated Press
showed yesterday.
Fifty-two Democratic candidates,
including 49 incumbents. will be
unopposed, four others have been
nominated by conventions and II
the nomination of candidates for IL
seats.
SiXty-one men are seeking the
81 nomina tons TO be made in the
primary from 81 of 83 House dis
tricts.
some Trying tOmeDacKs.
Retirements alone will effect
membership turnover of nearly 10
per cent with at least nine of those
who sat in the 1910 session absent
from this years lists Among them
are Ashton Dovell of Williamsburg,
the retiring Speaker. who an
pounced for Governor. but later
withdrew, and J. Tinsley Coleman
! Of Nelson, author of the famous
Coleman amendment to the budget
bill in 1888. who now is Common
Wealth's attorney of Nelson.
Others not seeking reelection are
Leon Bazile of Hanover, recently
appointed Judge of the fifteenth
circuit. and H. Mex. Smith OF
Staunton and Augusta.
/ Some former legislators will be
/ trying comebacks. These include H.
c. Thompson Of Hillsboro, opposing
Delegate Howard c. Rogers for the
/ Loudoun County nomination.
Richmond has a field of TO- in
cluding Former Mayor J. Fulmer
Bright, seeking the six nominations
from the capital.
Paul Crockett of Yorktown and
Hugh P. Fisher Of New Kent are
aspirants for tie nomination that
will determine the successor 70
! Speaker Dovell.
Candidates Listed.
The list of candidates for nomina
tions in the 81 primary contests in
I cludes t"denotes incumbent:
FairfaX-'Francis P. Miller and
/ Charles Pickett.
Loudoun-'Howard C. Rogers and
H. c. Thompson.
! Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg
-+Dr. w. A. Harris and William
j. Gibson.
The only Statewide primary bal
loting will be on the candidates for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Moss A. Piunkett of Roanoke ard
/ Senator William M Tuck of South
Boston are seeking the second place
on the ticket.