Spokesman: Former governor did not know of candidate's convictions

By Robert King -- Daily Staff Writer

Former Democratic Governor and U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Warner on Sunday rescinded an endorsement of Strasburg Town Council candidate Richard A. Orndorff after learning of the former mayor's past criminal convictions.

Warner had released a statement Saturday praising Orndorff's commitment to public service.

"Rich Orndorff has demonstrated a commitment to public service that is all too rare in public life today," the statement reads. "Having served both on the council and as mayor of Strasburg, he has the ability to foster healthy community-based change that makes a difference in people's lives."

But Warner rescinded that endorsement Sunday while campaigning in southwest Virginia for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. John Warner, no relation.

Orndorff served on the Strasburg council from 1990 to 2000 and as mayor from 2000 to 2003. He resigned as mayor in 2003 after being charged with assault and battery of his first wife.

He was convicted in late 2003 and placed on probation.

He was arrested and convicted of a second charge of assault and battery of his estranged wife after a February 2004 incident.

When word of Orndorff's past criminal convictions reached Warner, the former governor decided to rescind the endorsement.

"We don't have all the facts, but we have enough for the governor to make the decision that he wants to rescind the endorsement," said Kevin Hall, Warner's spokesman.

Hall said Warner hadn't known of Orndorff's assault and battery convictions when he made the endorsement.

Hall said that, to his knowledge, this is the first endorsement the former governor has had to rescind.

Orndorff said he had worked for Warner's 2001 campaign for governor and hosted Warner and his wife for functions in Strasburg.

"I have a great deal of respect for the former governor and have always cherished the relationship that he and I have," Orndorff said Sunday after learning the endorsement was rescinded. "I was extremely humbled and gratified when I heard that I would receive an endorsement."

Orndorff said he wasn't angry with Warner for rescinding the endorsement. "I would not do anything to harm [Warner's] candidacy for the U.S. Senate," he said.

Orndorff said he has paid his debt to society for his domestic issues "more than once. I have received forgiveness from my children, my family, my friends, people who have gotten [to] know me, and I am comfortable knowing I have received forgiveness from God."

Orndorff ran unsuccessfully for Town Council in 2006, and said he is unsure how the rescinded endorsement will affect his current candidacy.

Competing for four open Strasburg council seats are eight candidates: Orndorff, Robert B. Baker, Richard A. Redmon, Richard A. Seelbach, Justin M. Ritenour and L. Carlyle Swafford in addition to incumbent council members Edith Robinson Wallace and Carl J. Rinker. Councilmen Steve Nicholson and Timothy Taylor are not seeking re-election, but Taylor is running unopposed for mayor.

Orndorff said he has been unfairly portrayed by the Northern Virginia Daily in previous articles.

"I feel the people in Strasburg [are] tired of the negative publicity the Northern Virginia Daily continues to lavish upon me," he said. "I feel that many people will take that into consideration when they go to the polls."

He said the Daily has "attacked" him on his personal finances and not scrutinized other candidates.

The town of Strasburg had filed a judgment against Orndorff for unpaid taxes that accumulated when he operated the Two Daughters' Café at 219 W. King St. On Friday, Orndorff paid $1,453.64 that he owed the town.

Election day is Tuesday.

* Contact Robert King at rking@nvdaily.com