Harris mulling bid for Virginia attorney general

By Bob Stuart

Published: April 25, 2008

Paul Harris sat with rapt attention in August 1976, listening to Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan make a nomination concession speech at the national convention.
“I never heard a politician speak with such conviction,’’ Harris recalled during a speech at a fundraiser earlier this week for Waynesboro City Council candidate Bruce Allen.
Reagan lit a fire under the 12-year-old Harris, one of three siblings being raised by a single mother in Charlottesville.
The youngster immediately became an admirer of the Republican Party’s conservative philosophy of less government.
Today, the 44-year-old Harris is on the cusp of a major political decision.
The former House of Delegates member from Charlottesville and Bush Justice Department official is is pondering a bid to become Virginia’s next attorney general in 2009.
“I’m weighing a decision,’’ he said. “In the next three weeks, I’ll try to discern God’s voice in this matter.”
Harris said it’s not elective office that drives him, but the opportunity to serve.
He remembers the words of his mother, who worked two jobs to care for Paul and his two siblings.
“She always told me, ‘A rich life is one dedicated to service,’ ’’ Harris said.
His path to the Republican nomination is not paved.
Fairfax Sen. Ken Cuccinelli has already announced his candidacy for attorney general.
And U.S. Attorney John Brownlee of Virginia’s Western District announced his resignation last week, clearing the way for him to make a bid.
But Harris is an atypical Republican. He is black, which could enhance his voter appeal beyond the typical Republican base.
And experts say Harris has appeal the GOP and voters like.
“He has a lot of qualities that make him a potentially successful candidate,’’ said Matt Smyth, communications director for the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
Smyth said Harris would be attractive to conservative and anti-tax voters, and as a candidate the GOP wants to see back in elective office.
He stepped down as a Virginia House member in 2001. His absence from public office would mean Harris has work to do in getting acquainted with Virginia voters.
“But he is well known in the Republican Party,’’ Smyth said.
Former legislative colleagues say Harris is equal to the task.
“I think he would make a great attorney general,’’ said Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, who was Harris’ seatmate in the General Assembly for two years.
Landes said Harris is
personable and relates well to people.
Harris’ experience also includes private law practice and service on the Virginia House’s Courts of Justice Committee.
Del. Chris Saxman said Harris’ potential bid makes a for a deep Republican bench in the 2009 state elections.
“Ken Cuccinelli is a good and honorable man and John Brownlee was a classmate of mine at Washington & Lee. And I think very highly of Paul Harris,’’ Saxman said.
Harris’ curiosity about leadership was fueled at an early age.
“I was a student librarian at the elementary school,’’ he recalled.
It was at that tender age that he read brief political biographies that gave him his first inspiration to lead.
Sounding like a younger Reagan, Harris told Allen supporters Tuesday night that it’s “people in communities who make a difference. It’s government’s role to make sure communities stay strong.”