"Mecklenburg County, Va. Feb 2 - [Democrat] John W. Boyd Jr., resigning President of the national Black Farmers Association (NBFA) ... [announced] the formation of an exploratory committee to establish a campaign for Virginia's 5th District Congressional seat currently held by Rep. Virgil Goode (I-Va) during a press conference in front of the Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond at 2pm today" (Press Release, February 2, 2000).

"Boyd believes that this committee will prove that he is a viable candidate. 'I will offer the 5th district sound leadership, integrity and vision to ensure that all Virginians will prosper and have adequate healthcare, social security, solid educational opportunities and affordable housing,' said Boyd" (Press Release, February 2, 2000).

"Boyd, 34, called himself a 'moderate-liberal' Democrat. 'I'm for all people. I'm for the poor people'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"Unlike Goode, Boyd said he did not favor the impeachment of President Clinton. 'I think the president's personal life is something that's his personal life. I do think the president has done a fine job running this country as a president'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"He declined to criticize Goode on any specific votes but was highly critical of the congressman's lack of party loyalty" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"'I think we have a lot of support,' Boyd said. 'I mean people like people who stand up for what is right'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"'I think that any time you take Democratic funds and skip parties, I think you have done a wrong to the people that supported you in the Democratic Party and the people that voted for you,' Boyd said. 'You've taken their support and moved into a different party with it. That's something I promise you I would not do'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"Reaction to Boyd's announcement by Democratic lawmakers was widely varied" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"Boyd said he has been courted by national Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, Michigan Rep. John Conyers and California Rep. Maxine Waters" (Joshua Kucera, AP, Richmond, Virginia).

"Delegate V. Earl Dickinson, D-Mineral, said that Goode faces no real trouble with the voters of his conservative, rural Southside district" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres, D-Charlottesville, did not disagree with Dickinson's assessment but said that Boyd's run could be good for the Democratic Party nonetheless" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"'I think it's a good idea,' Van Yahres said. 'I think we, particularly in our district in the Charlottesville area, have truly felt that we have hot been represented by Virgil'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

"Boyd's candidacy 'may be the opportunity that we start rebuilding the Democratic Party in the image that maybe we need to do,' Van Yahres said. 'I think we have to have a place to go'" (Bob Gibson, The Daily Progress, February 3, 2000).

The relative strength of Virgil Goode running as an independent against a Democratic nominee is a source of some debate in local circles.

"Boyd, 34, is a tobacco farmer. He was born in New York City, moved to Virginia as a teen-ager and founded the National Black Farmers Association in 1995" (Joshua Kucera, AP, Richmond, Virginia).

"He is stepping down as head of the organization, which he led in a fight against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Boyd accused the agency of systematically denying loans and other assistance to black farmers" (Joshua Kucera, AP, Richmond, Virginia).

"A discrimination lawsuit against the USDA was settled in April. Lawyers and lawmakers say it could net black farmers as much as $2 billion" (Joshua Kucera, AP, Richmond, Virginia).

John Boyd's address is: 68 Wind Road, Baskerville, Virginia 23915. His e-mail address is: jboydnbfa@3n.net. His phone number is (804) 447-7825.