"More than 100 Charlottesville area Democrats nominated a pair of candidates for the House of Delegates on Tuesday and cheered calls to end Republican leadership and budget gridlock in Richmond.

Albemarle County Supervisor Charles S. Martin, D-Rivanna, touted his experience in local government and said he would bring a willingness to compromise to the General Assembly.

'I've run three times as a Democrat in a Republican district and I've won all three,' Martin told the crowd at the V. Earl Dickinson performing arts building at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

'Who are you going to send to Richmond to help fight for compromise and balance [on issues such as land use and the budget]?' Martin asked. 'Our government flourishes by design with compromise.'

Democrats nominated Martin, 46, by acclamation to face Rob Bell, a former Albemarle GOP chairman, in the Nov. 6 election for the 58th District seat. The new district includes about half of Albemarle's voters plus all of Greene County, most of Fluvanna and the Barboursville area of Orange County.

'When the people of the 58th District look at records, I have one and I stand on it,' Martin said. 'Experience means something and I know the electorate will respect that.'

Bell, 34, is an assistant Orange County prosecutor who has criticized Martin for voting to raise county spending and taxes.

Del. Mitchell Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, blasted Republican leadership in Richmond as heavy-handed, autocratic 'and just plain nasty.' He faces no Republican challenger in the 57th District, which includes the city and six nearby Albemarle precincts.

'I am often asked why I want to go back to Richmond,' Van Yahres said. 'Well, it's simple. I am mad as hell about what's going on there. Eight years of Republican leadership has dragged Virginia down to a new political low. In my 20-plus years of service, I have never seen such a lack of civility in the legislature.

[L-R] Dickie Cranwell with Mitch Van Yahres

Del. C. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, lauded Martin and Van Yahres as dedicated public servants who care about how government affects the quality of citizens' lives.

Cranwell said Virginia is one of five states with the nation's overall lowest tax burdens and has voters who know not to believe GOP promises to cut taxes while improving all levels of education.

He said a lack of civility and the total rule of politics are Republican innovations in state government.

'There is a difference, believe it or not, between government and politics,' Cranwell said, 'Politics has screwed politics up, so you know it is going to screw government up.'

Van Yahres and other Democrats criticized a Fluvanna County Republican newsletter that they said intentionally inserted race inappropriately in the Bell-Martin contest.

The July issue of the Fluvanna Republican Committee newsletter described the contest as follows: 'Rob Bell was officially nominated as our Republican candidate for the 58th District on July 21 in Albemarle High School. Those of you in the Palmyra, Cunningham and Rivanna districts will be supporting him against a black Democrat, Charles Martin.'

'Fluvanna's votes will probably determine the outcome of this race,' said the GOP newsletter published by Fluvanna party chairwoman Feda S. Kidd.

Cranwell read the newsletter and said, 'It's in very poor taste. They might need a little sensitivity training.'

'Holy Christmas,' Van Yahres said as he read the newsletter. 'That's beyond descriptive language. It's got a message and I'm sure the voters aren't going to be fooled by that kind of message if that's their intent.'

Marvin Moss, Fluvanna's Democratic chairman, said the GOP newsletter 'smacks of old times that I thought were gone a long time ago, and it's a sad commentary.'

'That was brought to my attention by a Republican about a week ago,' Moss said. 'She was appalled by it, and that's why she brought it to my attention.'

Kidd could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

Martin said 'no comment' on the newsletter's description of his race, but declared, 'I am a Democrat who has a great deal of experience. That experience over the years has allowed me to work with Republicans, Democrats and independents, and I will continue to work with Republicans, Democrats and independents, and I will stand on my experience.'

Bell, reached at home later by telephone, said he did not want to comment on the newsletter except to say, 'I don't think race should play any role in this election.'

He did respond to Cranwell's attacks on Republican leadership in Richmond. Cranwell called the GOP rule in the House 'mean-spirited ... vengeful ... hateful, and there is an almost total lack of civility.'

'Dickie has not been the most cordial member of that body,' Bell said of Cranwell." (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, August 8, 2001)