Lynchburg GOP says it won’t issue an endorsement in ’08 race

By Alicia Petska

Published: March 28, 2008

Lynchburg Republicans will not issue any endorsements in this year’s City Council race, party chairman Mark Peake said Friday.

“We already have Jeff (Helgeson of Ward III) running as a Republican. We’re going to focus our attention on that,” he said. “The others are running as independents, and we’re going to let them run as independents.
Helgeson, a one-term incumbent, is the Republican nominee for the Ward III seat. Of the nine people making a bid for City Council, he’s the only one running under a party banner. Peake said they were “proud” to have him as the Republican candidate, describing him as someone who’s fought for lower taxes and fiscal responsibility.

Last week, local Democrats endorsed candidates Mike Gillette of Ward I, Ceasor Johnson of Ward II, Nat Marshall, the challenger in Ward III, and Marie Waller of Ward IV
In announcing their decision, party officials said their support was not meant to signify any formal affiliation on the part of the candidates
Aside from Helgeson, only three people up for election did not seek Democratic backing. David Johnston of Ward II and Turner Perrow of Ward IV told party officials they had conflicting appointments.

Jim Martin of Ward I indicated he would not seek either party’s support. Peake, who called on independent
candidates to lead truly independent campaigns, was in attendance at Martin’s formal announcement for office earlier this month
He said Friday he felt Martin, a retired car dealer, has drawn supporters from both ends of the political
spectrum
Lynchburg Republicans have made endorsements for independent candidates in the past, but did not in the 2006 elections. Peake said it didn’t make sense for the party to invest its “name and force and reputation” in a candidate who doesn’t identify themselves as a Republican.

The Lynchburg City Council elections are May 6. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, April 7.

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