Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-03
VIRGINIA
9Th and 9th Districts
Set for Tough Fights

date Tor a convention, probably IN
late June or nearly July.
In reviewing the outlook of the
various congressional contests last
Sunday. this space gave the picture
in the first five congressional dis
tricts. Here is the outlook for the
remaining five districts:
9Th District
This is where the Democrats are
making their strongest bid any,
where in the State to wreSt an
Office from a Republican. 1t is the
Piedmont section. extending from
Lynchburg to Radford, which is
west of Roanoke.
The incumbent, Richard E. Poff,
is one of the trio who came in on
the Eisenhower landslide in 1852
and managed to hold on two years
later when the G. o. P. lost one
seat.
Two weeks ago, Democrats In
convention nominated John White
head Of Radford. member of the
House of Delegates who has DEM
orlstrated in three elections his
powers to get votes. Mr.. Poff will
be renominated at G. o. P. con-
yention in Roanoke on July IA.
Mr.. Poff is law partner of State
Senator Ted Dalton of Radford,
Virginia's Mr.. Republican, who
came very close to being elected
Governor three years ago.
Mr.. Whitehead's demonstrated
strength lies in the fact that, he
too, being from Radford, managed
to unseat a veteran G. o. p. mem
Der of the House of Delegates,
Bentley Hite, in 1851. The vote
was 1867 to 3,599.
Two years later, Mr.. Whitehead
(not to be confused with the anti
organization Democrat, Robert
Whitehead of Nelson County,
picked up strength. He defeated
Mr. Hite. 4,047 to 1896. Two years
ago Mr.. Whitehead got 5,26l votes
to $500 for John w. Poff (no rela-
ton to Representative Poff).
Democrats repeatedly will at
tempt to make segregation an issue
along the southern borders of the
district. This may be difficult. how
ever, because Republican Poff was
among more than 100 Southern
lawmakers who signed the Southern
Manifesto protesting the Supreme
Courts segregation decision. More
recently, he joined Democratic
Representative Tuck in signing a
minority report Of the House Judi
ciary Committee on the Presidents
civil rights bill to let the Attorney
General sue in Federal Courts to
protect Negroes voting rights.
9TH District
Although this Shenandoah Valley
area has large pockets of Republic
can strength. Democratic Repre-
sentative Burr P. Harrison appar-
emily faces little, If any challenge.
Republicans will hold a conyen-
ton July % in Staunton. District
q. o. P. Chairman A. r. Cunning
OF Boyce said, I'VE certainly would
ike to enter qualified candidate.
but so far, no one wants to stick
his neck out. The presidential cleo
ton year affords us a wonderful
opportunity"
9th District
Democratic Representative How
ard w. Smith, dean of Virginia's
delegation and chairman OF the
House Rules Committee, has had
little to fear in the way of @. O.P.
threat since the 10th district, next
to Washington. was carved out of
his North Virginia domain in 1852.
His area extends from Charlottes-
vile up to the West Virginia border.
Republicans, as indicated earlier.
VIII hold convention in late June
or early July to name a candidate.
Most likely one appears to be Hor-
ace B. Clay, Ashland insurance
man.
9th District
Outside of the 9th district, this
is the biggest battle-ground in the
far Southwest. This is the Eight
ing Ninth" where Democrat Pat
Jennings recaptured q seat for his
party two years ago. But his mar
gin Of victory-999 votes out OF a
total Of nearly $4,000, brands this
area as the one in which Repub-
leans have their highest hopes OF
gaining a seat.
10th District
This suburban Washington area
is the Republicans stronghold,
members Of that party feel. A good
many Democrats agree.
Representative Joel T. Broyhill
unquestionably will be renominated
at the district convention in Alex
andria on June %.
Democrats will pick their candi-
dates in the States only congress
sional primary on July 10. Seeking
the nomination are Warren Quen-
stedt and Morten Boyer, both Of
Fairfax. and Julius Brenner OF Ar
lington.