Evening star., 1949-10-29
2-PartySystem
Now Established
In Rockingham
One Countyin Virginia
Has Political Balance
In House Seat Race
By Alex R. Preston
Stor SfoH Ceyrexnondent

Stor Stoff Correspondent
HARRISONBURG, Va, Oct. 90
The nearest Republicans have
come to establishing a two-party
system in Virginia is right here in
Rockingham County.
There are two Democrats and
two Republicans seeking two
available seats in the House of
Delegates which now are held by
one member of each party. There
also is fifth candidate. an inde-
pendent. in the race.
This is an unusual situation in
Virginia. In recent years Re
publicans have entered contests in
the areas close to Washington but
the Democrats usually win there
Healthy Balance of Power.
The record here, however, shows
there is a healthy balance of
power between the major opposing
factions. This is the only area in
the Seventh Congressional Dis
trict where a contest has de-
veloped for election to the House
on November 8.
G. Fred Switzer, Democratic Ma
tional Committeeman from Vir-
ginia and until recently the
chairman of the 7th District
Democratic Committee, says Har-
risonburg is traditionally Demo-
cratic while Rockingham County
usually votes Republican. The city
can not offset the total county
vote and he expects that about
1000 ballots will be cast in the
county while only 1000 will be cast
here.
The candidates for the House
are j. O. Stickley and George S.
Aldhizer, II. Democrats: DR.. Paul
H. Bowman and DR.. Linden N.
Spicer, Republicans. and Eugene
N. Beard, independent.
MIR. Stickley is completing his
second term in the lower branch
of the General Assembly. The
second member of the House who
is not seeking reelection, is
George w. Taliaferro, who was
elected at the same time Mr..
Stickley was.
County City Factor.
Mr.. Stickley, who is in the farm
implement business and runs
farm, lives in the county while
Mr.. Taliaferro. who operates
real estate business. lives in the
city. An equal division of county,
city representation is an impor-
tant factor in most races for the
House.
Mr.. Aldhizer. a county xesident,
lives at Broadway. He is an at
torney and now is president of
the Harrisonburg Bar Association.
He also has been a member of the
County School Board for eight
years.
DR.. Bowman lives at Timber
vile, in the northern end of the
county He is a retired president
of Bridgewater College.
His running mate. DR.. Splitter,
Is a dentist who lives and prac-
tices in the city.
Mr.. Beard operates a news
paper at Elkton. He formerly was
in the same business in Arlington.
Thus both parties have candi-
dates representing the city and
the county.
State Senator Raymond R.
Guest, Democrat of Bayard, de-
feated Republican, Jacob A.
CARRIER of Harrisonburg. two
years ago and his term does not
expire for another two years.
Party Concentrating.
The race on which city Repub-
licans are concentrating is that !.
of their candidate, Mrs. Edna I.
Dechert, bank teller. She seeks /
the seat now held by E. S. Ashby,
Democratic incumbent.
The commissioner of revenues
post is being sought by Sheffey L.
Devier. Democratic incumbent,
dlll 4NClool NCUoCl. 1eCPuOl1Idl1
The city's predominant Demo-
cratic vote is reflected in the
makeup of the City Council
which includes only two Repub-
licans among its nine members.
On the other hand, there are
three Republicans and two Demo-
Gratis making up the County
Board of Supervisors. The latter
are Aldine Funkhouser, Charles
Estep and Howard M. Heatwole.
Republicans. and Burke Mckay
and Carson Holsinger. Democrats.
For the most part, all of the
four leading House contenders.
have failed to promote serious
issues between themselves. All
have come to substantial agree
ment that the Campbell suffrage
amendments should be approved
in the referendum to be held in
connection with the general elec-