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Womble backs Parmon for Senate as he bows out because of health concernsFeb 22, 2012 (Winston-Salem Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- N.C. Rep. Larry Womble's voice was strong Tuesday as he announced he wouldn't be running for office this year, his first public comment since he was seriously injured in a car accident in December. Praise for Womble's service in N.C. House District 71 was strong, too, and came quickly after his announcement, made over a telephone speaker at a news conference at the Forsyth County Government Center. Womble said he was endorsing Rep. Earline Parmon for the N.C. Senate District 32 seat, for which he had planned to run. Parmon, a Democrat who holds the House District 72 seat, praised Womble, saying he "embodies the very best of what public service should be." "I want you to know that there is a room full of well-wishers and your friends that are here and excited to hear your voice," Parmon told Womble over the phone. "I said to them, don't give up on you and don't count you out, because you will be back." Womble thanked his supporters and said he has to focus on getting better, despite "much work to be done" in Raleigh. "My recovery is coming on very well," Womble said. "It is progressing, and at this rate and a good pace, maybe in the next month or two, four to six weeks, I'll be back on the trail again ... campaigning for Earline Parmon." The seat Parmon is running for is now held by Sen. Linda Garrou, D-Forsyth, who is having to vacate her seat because of redistricting. Speaking to reporters and others at the county elections office, Parmon called her announcement a "bittersweet moment" because she always thought Womble would be running for Senate 32. One of Womble's signature efforts over the years has been to get compensation for victims of a state-run forced-sterilization program that operated for decades. Last October, Womble received backing for the effort from House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, who said that he wanted to "fast-track" compensation during this year's session of the General Assembly. Then came Womble's car crash in December. Womble's car crossed the center line on Reynolds Park Road and collided head-on with another car driven by David Allen Carmichael, who was killed. Toxicology reports showed no alcohol or other intoxicants in Womble's system. The accident remains under investigation. At some point, if his health permits, Womble may be able to help see through the sterilization compensation effort, said Tanya Wiley, a spokeswoman and political strategist for Parmon. Womble has not resigned from his seat, which means he can return to work on the sterilization issue, if his health permits. For now, Wiley said, friends are encouraging Womble, who is in a rehabilitation center, to focus on getting better. Tillis called Womble a "dear friend ... who will be missed in the North Carolina House." "We will continue the work he championed on eugenics compensation in the General Assembly," Tillis said, adding that lawmakers would support Womble "as he works toward a full recovery." House Minority Leader Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange, praised Womble's work in the legislature. "He has been a steady, consistent voice for fair and equal treatment of all people," Hackney said in a news release issued shortly after Womble's announcement. After Parmon and Womble spoke, Forsyth County Commissioner Everette Witherspoon, a Democrat, filed to run for Womble's House district. Former Winston-Salem City Council member Evelyn Terry, a Democrat, filed to run for the seat on Monday. Witherspoon said he wants to make sure the issues that Womble pushed are carried forward. "Representative Womble has been and continues to be all about social justice," Witherspoon said. "It is going to take a special person to fill his shoes, and I believe I'm that person." Jimmie Lee Bonham, a 2010 candidate for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board, filed for Parmon's seat, which covers north-central Winston-Salem. Meanwhile, the state attorney general's office is handling the Womble wreck investigation at the request of Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill. O'Neill said he wanted to remove any appearance of conflict since Womble is a prominent person in the community and has been at odds with O'Neill over the Racial Justice Act. ___ (c)2012 Winston-Salem Journal (Winston Salem, N.C.) Visit Winston-Salem Journal (Winston Salem, N.C.) at www2.journalnow.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |