Compounding their lack of numerical progress was the stunning

Compounding their lack of numerical progress was the stunning loss of two of their most respected legislators, one from each body.

Sen. Ray Garland of Roanoke’s 21st District was unhorsed by Democrat J. Granger McFarland in the day’s biggest upset. Garland had served in the House from 1968 until 1980, when he moved to the Senate after his own upset victory over veteran Democrat William Hopkins.

In the House, 67th District Del. George Jones of Chesterfield lost a close race to Democrat N. I,. (Les) Saunders. Jones had served in the house since 1969 and was a member of some of its most prestigeous committees. He served on privileges and Elections, Rules, Finance and Counties, Cities and Towns.

In the Senate, the GOP had targeted several Democratic seats which appeared vulnerable. Among them were those held by Senators Thomas Michie, 25th District; Madison Marye, 37th District; Robbie Scott, 2nd District and William Fears, 3rd District. The Republicans had expected to pick up at least some of these. As things worked out, the Democrats retained them all. In addition, the Republicans lost the seat being vacated by Sen. Eva Scott of Amelia in the sprawling 17th District. Democrat Edd Houck of Spotsylvania upended Republican candidate Patrick McSweeney of Powhatan to bring the district into the Democratic column.

In spite of the stand-off in the final figure. Gov. Chuck Robb proclaimed the election a Democratic triumph. He, along with state party Chairman Alan Diamonstein, noted that when a party controls almost 70 percent of the legislature, it is highly vulnerable to losses. When those losses don’t occur it is the equivalent of a win.

The election has already had deep repercussions in both camps.

Within the GOP, there is a renewed hue-and-cry for the resignation of Dr. Alfred Cramer of Culpeper, the state chairman. Republican financier Smith Ferebee and his allies in the financial community are reportedly dangling a $150,000 carrot in front of the Republican leadership. The money would be donated to the party if it will fire Cramer and install Judy Peachee of Chesterfield as chairperson. Peachee is a former GOP national committeewoman and is currently an aide to Sen. Paul Trible.

Cramer supporters doubt that more than $50,000 has actually been raised, but they admit that it is enough to make Cramer “a hostage" to his opponents, who blame him for Tuesday’s poor showing.

Cramer says he may call a news conference later this week to announce his response to the resignation pressure.

Needless to say, on the Democratic side the reaction to the election result is quite different.

With Republican U.S. Senator John Warner up for re-election next year, the Democrats have been viewing with concern the lack of potential candidates to challenge him. So far only former Del. Edvthe Harrison of Norfolk has announced that she will seek the party’s nomination.

Both Robb and Diamonstein believe this may now change.

“We have proven," said Diamonstein, "that we have a party which can offer support to its candidates. We have a superb organization and a superb staff—as good as any in the history of the state.

“Anyone who is considering a Senate bid next year,” he added, “should be greatly encouraged by Tuesday’s results.”

Thus, although the election was a “Mexican standoff’ as far as assembly strength is concerned, it will profoundly affect the new election year now getting underway.

For the Republicans, that year appears to be beginning with bitter recriminations and a potentially bloody power struggle.

The Democrats, on the other hand, see in the election outcome the seeds of an opportunity to capture a U.S. Senate seat in 1984.

In either case, as it is at this season each year in the Old Dominion, it’s another opening, another show.