Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-10
Almond Seen
Unopposed in
July Primary


would not run for Governor next
year and gave the heavy swing"
to republicanisrn in the State as
"a major reason.
His withdrawal apparently
gives Attorney General j. Lind
say Almond, jr., clear shot for
the Democratic gubernatoriaI
nomination in next July's party
primary.
Usually. victory in the Demo.
cratic primary amounts to cleo
ton in additionally Democratic
Virginia. But the State has gone
Republican in the last two presi-
Dental elections, and in the last
gubernatorial election three
years ago G. o. P. State Senator
Ted Dalton Of Radford polled
As per cent Of the popular vote
against Thomas B. Stanley.
In view of the present cli-
mate Of public opinion, with the
heavy swing to the Republican
Party, I have decided not to run
for Governor" said Delegate
Whitehead. II shall continue to
work with my friends through.
out the State for the Democratic
principles in which believe. I
have every confidence that the
day will come when they viii
prevail"
To Offer Again for House
He said he would run for re-
election to the House of Delel
gates, where he has been The
most outspoken and consistent
critic Of the dominant Byrd
organization.
With Delegate Whitehead now
out Of the picture in July, it looks
as if Mr.. Almond might be withs
out any primary opposition. Two
other prospective Democratic
candidates. State Senator Gar
land Gray of Waverly and 1t.
Gov. A. E. S. Stephens of Smith
field, already have made it
known they won't run.
A growing list Of Democrats
organization faithful have an
nounced their support Of Mr..
Almond in an apparent attempt
TO mend party fences and pre-
sent a united front against Re.
publican opposition in the gen.
eral election.
Senator Dalton is expected to
be the G. o. p. candidate again,
although he has said someone
else would make the race this
time.
! Delegate Whitehead gave the
Democratic Party some pointed
advice in announcing his deci.
sion to stay out Of the race.
Mentions Young People
1.-THE future of the Democratic
Party in Virginia depends In
large measure upon its appeal
and support by the young peo-
pie" he declared. ut cannot hope
to remain the major party by
rattling the dry bones Of the
dead past"
Notified Of Delegate White.
heads decision. Mr.. Almond de-
Iclared, Il am grateful. He's able.
knows State government and I've
always held him in high respect"
Delegate Whitehead and Mr.,
Almond both are noted for their
abilities as orators. A contest
between the two likely would
have been Virginia's liveliest
Igubernatorial campaign in years,
They also had been expected to
trade punches over Virginia's
new segregation laws, since Dele
gate Whitehead had fired some
penetrating questions at Mr.. Al.
Imond about constitutionaIity Of
Virginia's new laws aimed at
preserving segregation.
Gilmer Il Candidate
Meanwhile. Howard c. Gilmer.
Ijr.. 49-year-old former United
States district attorney. has am
nounced he will be q Democrats
primary candidate for attorney
general in next years election.
! A hacker Of Mr.. Almond for
Governor, Mr.. Gilmer emerged
in speculation last week over the
ORGANIZATIONS probable primary
choice for the third spot on the
ticket. 1t. Gov. Stephens has
ANNOUNCED for reelection.
Mr.. Gilmer made his an
nouncement after returning from
Richmond where he conferred
with party leaders.
81 have received announcement
from many parts Of the State,
and l feel that my background In
both the State and Federal
courts. should qualify me 10 rem.
der service 70 the people Of Vir-
ginia." he said in his announce
ment.
Former State Bar Head
He Is a past president Of the
Virginia State Bar Association,
and was United States district
attorney for Western Virginia
from l94e 70 1853. resigning
when President Eisenhower was
elected.
Actually he had nine years
Federal experience, having been
appointed an assistant district
attorney IN 1894. He was made
acting district attorney a lo46
and district attorney twbAyeaTs
later.
Mr.. oilmer. who win be 50 On
December a. was admitted 20
the bar In 1890 and joined the
PULASKI iav firm Of 0iimer and
WyBor IN 1891. the year he re-
ceived his LIB degree from no
University Of Virginia. He y NV
senior member Of the Law firm
o. Oilmsr. Hsrman and Sadlsr.