Evening star., 1947-11-05
Democrats Keep
Grip on Virginia
Assembly Easily
Strength in Senate
Appears Unchanged;
Few House Seats Lost

Democratic candidates were swept
back into most seats in the Vir-
ginia General Assembly yesterday
after Republicans made their
strongest bid in 20 years. One in
cumbent Republican State Senator
in Northern Virginia was trailing,
however.
Democratic strength in the State
Senate is likely to remain un-
changed but that party may lose
a few House Of Delegates seats to
Republicans.
The Northern Virginia incumbent
Senator who Is trailing is Jacob
A. CARRIER, Republican, who repre-
sents the oath district comprising
Harrisonburg and Page, Rocking
ham, Rappahannock and Warren
Counties. Returns from 81 of SO
precincts gave him 5,306 to 6,275
for his Democratic opponent, Ray
mond A. Guest.
In the 18th district. however, c.
S. Pendleton, sr., Republican, was
leading Senator Lloyd M. Robi-
nette, Democrat, 1858 to 4,354 in
returns from 80 of IS precincts In
Lee and Scott Counties.
Contests Still in Doubt.
, A number of contests were still In
doubt for both legislative and coun-
ty Offices as election officials toiled
with one of the heaviest votes In
recent history In the Southwest,
Shenandoah Valley and Northern
Virginia areas. Counting of ballots
continued throughout the night in
some sections.
The usual heavy Democratic ma
jority in the General Assembly was
assured since Republicans furnished
opposition in only one-fourth the
Senate and one-fifth the House con-
tests. For most of the State yes
terday,s election was merely a mat
ter OF confirming unopposed nomi-
nees of the Democratic primary
Republicans hold only three of 40
seats In the present Senate and only
six Of 100 in the House.
Democrats spotted their tradi-
tional opponents two seats by not
opposing the veteran Senator S.
Floyd Landreth. Republican incum-
bent in the 14th Carroll, Floyd
Grayson) district, or w. c. Lambert
Republican nominee in Shenandoah
County for the House.
G. o. p. Wins One Seat.
In Senate races, Democrats had
won five contests for seven seats
apparently had won two more for
two seats and were leading in two
contests for two seats. Republicans
apparently had won one contest for
one seat and were leading In another.
In the House races, the Democrats
had won 10 contests for II seats, ap-
parently had won three more for
three seats, and were leading in two
contests for two seats. Republicans
had won four contests for four seats,
apparently had taken two other seats
and were leading in two others.
The Republican effort, during
which party leaders vigorously at
tackled Democratic interpretations of
1946 election laws, brought voters of
both parties to the polls in contested
districts in surprising numbers.
In Richmond, voters gave over
whelming approval to a new city
manager charter which will mean
sweeping changes in the city's form
Of government, if it is passed by the
General Assembly in 1948.
The charter now goes to the
Legislature, where Richmonds seven
Delegates and three Senators. elect
ed yesterday, are committed to sup
port its passage.
Even as the votes were being
counted, however, the local electoral
board ordered a complete investi-
CATION into q report that the regis
tration papers of 500 persons hao
vanished from the Office of General
Registrar Vernon N. Davis.
+ Mr.. Davis said he could not ac-
count for the disappearance of the
records.
Unopposed Candidates.
Unopposed Senate candidates in
. Northern Virginia were Curry Car
ter, Democrat, for Staunton and
Augusta and Highland Counties;
Harry F. Byrd, jr., Democrat, for
winchester, Clarke, Fredericksburg
and Shenandoah Counties; John S.
Battle, Democratic incumbent, for
Charlottesville and Albemarle. Flu
wanna, Greene and Madison Coun-
ties; Benjamin T. Pitts, Democratic
incumbent, for Fredericksburg and
Louisa, Orange, Spotsylvania and
Stafford Counties, and Robert Y.
Button, Democratic incumbent, for
Culpeper. Fauquier and Loudoun
Counties.
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