University of Virginia Library

Earman Announces Possibility
Of Independent Candidacy

By JOAN BAECHER

Former Republican state
house delegate Don E. Earman
said Tuesday he would possibly
continue the fight for governor
as an "independent
Republican" if denied the GOP
gubernatorial nomination at his
party's state convention in
Richmond June 9.

Mr. Earman said, "Some
people are urging me very
strongly to run as an
independent Republican" if
former Democratic Gov. Mills
E. Godwin Jr. should win the
GOP convention's approval
without becoming a "qualified
Republican" by continuing his
announced intentions of
supporting Democratic or
independent candidates for the
House of Delegates having
Republican opponents.

Republican Nomination

Some time ago Mr. Godwin
announced he would accept
the Republican nomination
and "run as a Republican," but
would not actively seek the
nomination. Mr. Godwin said
he would run as an
independent candidate if the
Republican convention chose
to place someone else's name
on the ballot for governor.

Mr. Godwin was headed
for unopposed acclamation by
the GOP state convention until
Mr. Earman emerged last week
as a candidate for governor.

"I'm not naive," Mr.
Earman said. "I'm up against
all the odds that can be.
However, I am getting some
good support out of the
Norfolk and Fairfax areas, as
well as in the Valley, and I
assess chances as pretty good –
a whole lot better than the
state party leadership admits at
this time," he added.

"I am a candidate and you
can count on it, at least until
June 9."

Republican Obligations

According to Mr. Earman, if
Mr. Godwin wins the
Republican nomination any
further action on his part will
depend on whether Mr.
Godwin accepts all the
obligations imposed on a
Republican candidate by the
Republican state party plan.

Mr. Earman disagreed with
the conventional political line
that, in a three-way race, he
would pull votes away from
Godwin and help elect
independent candidate Lt.
Gov. Henry E. Howell Jr.

Speaking about his own
chance for winning the GOP
nomination, Mr. Earman said,
"it is just hard for me to
believe that real Republicans
who have worked hard at
menial party chores would turn
their backs on a qualified
Republican."

The important thing I hear
is that the people want a
choice," Mr. Earman added.
"They are not satisfied with
either of the others."