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The four words, which followed Wilder throughout his 1985 campaign, were lost in the glare of the spotlights on election night when Wilder captured 51.8 percent of the votes. The life-long Richmond resident became the first black to win a statewide election in Virginia and the highest-ranking black elected official in the nation. The victory literally made the history books, spawning the publication of two books on Wilder, one of which was entitled, “When Hell Froze Over . . . A Black Politician’s Rise to Power in the South.”
Wilder has nowT gained enough credibility to cause each of the three candidates in the GOP primary to boast that he is the only candidate who could defeat Wilder. Republicans chose former Attorney general J. Marshall Coleman to ^challenge Wilder for the governor’s seat.
As in his 1985 campaign, Wilder refuses to discuss race in this election. For him, it is not an issue. Yet for Virginia, which could become the first state to elect a black governor, the significance can not be ignored.
Wilder prefers to talk about his 20 years of experience in state government. Launching his campaign in „January, Wilder outlined his gubernatorial goals, introducing his three -for Virginia plan. As: gpveypqp, '< Wilder said he would strive, (.q pro-; ' vide permanent tax relief for all Vir; ginians, lead the fight against drugs ; and crime and create jobs and hous; ing for rural Virginias.
“I will not propose or initiate any I new taxes,” said Wilder. ! Wilder has spearheaded efforts
91.5%