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By LAWRENCE EMERSON
AmM Nnvm Staff Writer
After months of speculation and recruitment, 7th District Democrats have competition for their congressional nomination.
Lewis M. Costello, a 50-year-old attorney and accountant from Frederick County, said Monday he will compete for the nomination with Charlottesville banker Francis H. Fife, 63. Mr. Fife entered the campaign April 2.
Mr. Costello’s annoucement came just 13 days before the Democrats’ district nominating convention May 12 in Charlottesville.
The Democrats hope to field a candidate strong enough to capture the seat held 14 years by Rep. J. Kenneth Robinson (R-Va.), who will retire to his Winchester farm at year’s end. Six candidates are seeking the GOP nomination, also to be decided at a May 12 convention in Charlottesville.
Travelling by private airplane and car, Mr. Costello made a quick sweep of 7th District towns and cities Monday to announce his candidacy and to seek support from fellow Democrats.
At his side throughout the day was the man often mentioned as the Democrats’ most likely candidate — Del. Alson H. Smith Jr. of Winchester. Mr. Smith, who withdrew from consideration in March, is an influential fund-raiser among Democrats, a member of Gov. Charles S. Robb’s inner circle and a long-time friend and political ally of Mr. Costello.
If Mr. Costello wins the nomination, Mr. Smith will have played a major role.
“I don’t want to be running against Mr. Fife,” Mr. Costello said in an aftemon stop in Warrenton. “My nuqor dif
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