Lt. Governor Candidate in Va. Relishes Role of Underdog

Baskerville pointed out that she would add diversity to the party's ticket. She also said that it is more important for Virginia Democrats to stay true to their "core values" than to shift positions to address perceived political and demographic changes in the state.

Baskerville caught the attention of Democratic leaders in the spring when she publicly criticized the central campaign promise of the party's gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, by calling his plan to offer real estate tax relief to homeowners "a gimmick."

"I just think we need to have a deeper discussion about these proposals . . . about what the long-term impacts will be," she said in an interview.

The delegate's critics have said that although she remains well-intentioned, she has not been successful in getting much of her legislation through the General Assembly. Many of the bills promoting her causes died in the Republican-controlled House.

"We had concerns about whether she had established a record of being able to build coalitions to get her legislation passed," said Warren Kennedy, chairman of the research committee for the Richmond Crusade for Voters, the city's oldest civil rights organization, which endorsed Byrne.

Baskerville's colleagues said that criticism is not fair, given that only 38 of the 100 House members are Democrats. "She may not have passed all of her legislation, but the attempt was made," said Del. Dwight Clinton Jones (D-Richmond), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. "That says something about her. She's been an effective delegate for her district."

Baskerville pointed out that she helped pass a bill that changed Richmond's charter so residents could elect their mayor directly. She said she is a tireless worker for issues important to her community, even if the legislation doesn't pass.

"It's about determination," Baskerville said. "That's what people want from their public officials: to keep trying over and over again."