Related

The latest from our Blue Ridge Caucus politics blog

• What issues will play in May’s Roanoke city elections?
• Federal lawsuit over congressional redistricting dismissed

From The Roanoke Times

• Follow state and local political coverage from The Roanoke Times

Roanoke City Councilwoman Gwen Mason said Wednesday that she's running to replace retiring Del. William Fralin in the General Assembly.

"I intend to seek the Democratic nomination for the 17th District of the Virginia House of Delegates," Mason said.

With several other Democrats and Republicans expressing interest in the seat -- including one of her own council colleagues -- Mason moved to get out of the gate first.

Fralin, a Republican, has held the seat for six years. His announcement Saturday -- the last day of the legislative session -- that he won't seek re-election in November came as a surprise, even for those within his own party.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties plan June 9 primaries to decide their nominees.

The 17th District is nearly evenly divided between parts of Roanoke and parts of Roanoke County. It also includes two precincts in Botetourt County.

"I think it will be competitive, but in the end, the Republican wins," predicted Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, the House majority leader. "If you look at the demographics it's a good Republican seat. Historically, [the late] Vic Thomas had it and held it after the redistricting, but Vic was a very conservative Democrat."

In fact, the district was redrawn by the legislature after the 2000 Census to make it more accommodating for a Republican.

But Mason, 49, said she wouldn't be running if she didn't think she could win.

"I think when you have an economy like this," she said, "people are looking to the Democrats for leadership to turn the country around: Someone rooted in the community who has basic understanding of local government, who's prepared to fight for southwestern Virginia in a state chamber tilted heavily toward Northern Virginia. We need those voices. We need that presence."

Mason will likely receive support from the Farm Team, a group headed by former Attorney General Mary Sue Terry that seeks to provide consulting and fundraising support for female Democrats.

Mason, who is in her first council term, worked for years in Washington as an Interior Department manager.

Republicans are determined to keep what had been considered a safe seat, said Fred Anderson of Roanoke County, who is chairman of the 6th Congressional District Republican committee.

"This is a seat that at the beginning of the session was a guaranteed Republican vote in November, and they don't want to lose the seat, so they're going to make sure that whoever runs is well funded and is going to have the name recognition to carry this thing off," Anderson said.

Griffith didn't drop any GOP names but said "there are a lot of good candidates floating out there" and he had already spoken to a few of them.

Former Roanoke County supervisor and businessman Mike Wray is among the Republicans who may make a run at the seat. Wray said the speculation was "premature" and that he hasn't yet spoken to any party officials about running.

At least one other Democrat has indicated interest in running for Fralin's seat, Roanoke City Councilman David Trinkle. He was one of Mason's running mates on the successful 2006 "For the City" council ticket.

"I am strongly considering it," Trinkle said Wednesday. "I've first got to make sure it's right for me, right for my family and right for city council, really. City council's been through a lot of disruptions. Chances are this is going to be a hard fought campaign on both sides, and I wouldn't want a campaign to distract from my commitment to the city."

Another potential candidate is Eric Thomas, a Roanoke County real estate broker who is the son of Vic Thomas.

"I have been contacted about it," Thomas said. "I have not put it out of the question."