You may need a scorecard to keep track of the candidates for the agency overseeing corporate Virginia.

Two withdrew yesterday and four others emerged for a seat on the State Corporation Commission. Its members are picked by the General Assembly.

Sen. William C. Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, and lawyer-lobbyist Bernard L. McNamee II said they will not seek to succeed retiring Judge Theodore V. Morrison Jr.

Wampler and McNamee apparently faced varying degrees of legislative opposition as well as questions about their professional, political and personal ties to industries regulated by the SCC.

Still, two other lawyer-lobbyists are now being mentioned for the commission: David W. Clarke and Ralph L. "Bill" Axselle Jr.

Clarke, whose legislative clients include life insurance, energy and communications firms, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Axselle said none of his legislative and legal clients -- they include finance and property companies -- are directly overseen by the SCC.

If elected to the commission, Axselle said, he would disqualify himself from hearing matters handled by his firm, Williams Mullen.

Axselle, a former member of the House of Delegates from Henrico County, is a conservative Democrat with close ties to Republicans.

Two other prospects were being mentioned yesterday in legislative circles.

They are: Chief Deputy Attorney General William C. Mims and former Del. Jean W. Cunningham, D-Richmond, a retired corporate lawyer and chair of the State Board of Elections.

Mims was recommended by the Virginia State Bar for a recent vacancy on the Virginia Supreme Court.

Wampler's candidacy was largely derailed when Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said he will not appoint a successor to Morrison, who retires Dec. 31.

Commission members are named by the governor when the assembly is out of session or the House and the Senate fail to agree on a candidate.

Wampler, an insurance agent who could have become the first nonlawyer on the SCC, will return to the Senate, serving in the new Republican minority.

Wampler will be the ranking minority member of two powerful committees, finance, and commerce and labor, of which he was chairman.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 649-6814 or jschapiro@timesdispatch.com.