Evening star., 1953-01-30
Almond Gets
Out Of Race
For Governor
To Seek Nomination
For Present Office
In July Primary
By Alex R. Preston

LINDSAY AlmOnQ, j., VOuay ellIn"
mated himself as a candidate
'or Governor and said he would
seek denomination to his present
office in the July IA Democratic
primary. pr
BY removing himself from the
primary contest, he lesseened, to
some extent. the anxiety of lead.
ers Of the conservative State or.
ganization, headed by Senator
Byrd. that a three-way fight
within the ranks would enhance
the chances of liberal Democrats
to win the States highest office.
Neutral in Contest.
Mr.. Almond remained neutral
in the intra- organization fight
that already has developed be-
tween State Senator Charles r.
Fenwick of Arlington and Rep
resentative Thomas B. Stanley.
who will resign from the House
Tuesday, to devote full time to
his campaign.
Mr.. Almond said:
1.-TWO strong contenders are
already in the field. I cannot
indulge the hope that either will
retire"
Another fresh development as
sured a fight for the lieutenant
governorship between two men
regarded as equally loyal to the
Byrd organization. Paul Crockett.
member of the House of Dele
gates from Yorktown, said he
would run in the primary. 1t.
Gov. A. E. S. Stephens. who has
held the Office since a special
election last November, already
has said he would seek renom-
ination and election for a full
four-year term.
Mr.. Almond said he sees a
"hard : fought campaign" for
Governor.
In approaching my decision"
he said, II have endeavored to
candidly weight the various as
poets of the political situation in
Virginia. Political events have
demonstrated that there are two
opposing and irreconcilable po-
litical PHILOSOPHERS represented
by two factions of formidable
strength within the Democratic
Party Of Virginia. My identifi-
cation and alignment with one Ii
as well known as is my pride in
that association"
Whitehead Is Scornful.'
Leader Of the liberal wing and
a possible anti-organization cam
didate for Governor is Robert
Whitehead. member Of the House
Of Delegates from Nelson County.
He said Mr.. Almonds announce
ment was mot unexpected"
ut is apparent" Mr.. White
head said with some scorn, that
he did not get the nod in 1853
and is hoping for political eleva-
ton of some kind on or before
1857"
But Mr.. Whitehead still won't
say what he is going to do.
Mr.. Almond, former member
Of Congress and 55 years old,
left the door open for q race
for Governor four years hence,
when he said, / make no secret
Of the fact that I hold and cher
iSh as sacred what trust is q
pardonable aspiration to serve
the people of Virginia as their
Governor"
The attorney general also said:
my entry at this time into what
would prove to be hard-fought
campaign would not only serve
to divide and weaken the forces
with which I have always been
associated in the service of my
State but would also be a source
Of encouragement to those who
seek the establishment of a re-
gime which, in my Judgment,
would not rebound to the pro-
motion of the best interests Of
Virginia It is my considered
judgment that in the interests
Of harmony and unity within my
party, should forego at this
time my desire to offer as q
candidate for Governor"
Mr.. Almond came to Wash.
ington to confer with Senator
Byrd today Immediately before
his announcement was released,
but after it had been given to
the press.
Run-On Seen Possible.
His retirement from the cover.
norship picture reduces but does
not eliminate the possibility that
the States new run-of primary
law will be given its first work.
out this year. Passed in 1852,
it provides that when a candi-
date for any Statewide Office
fails to receive q clear majority
of the total votes cast, the second
highest candidate may call for
a run-od contest. Only the
names Of two highest eontenders
then would appear on the rum
of ballot.
To many it appeared that
sponsors Of this law were trying
to head of the aspirations Of
Mr.. Whitehead in view Of an
almost certain intraorganiza-
ton fight. The Byrd forces were
not certain at that time-so the
reasoning went-that a division
Of their votes among two or three
organization candidates could
assure q plurality over an anti
organization candidate. But they
could, 1t was felt. muster united
strength in a run-off primary to
put the organization candidate
across.
Meanwhile the possibility still
exists that the Lieutenant Cow
ernor's race also may become q
three-way affair among organi-
zation stalwartS.
State Senator Garland Grey
Of Waverly is known to be inter-
ested in the job, which carries
with it the responsibility Of pre-.