By
Irene Hsiao
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Sweeney loses to incumbent Kolbe for eighth time
Arizona state Sen. George Cunningham was triumphant in the Tucson primary race - Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives District 5 - last night.
Cunningham garnered 55 percent, while his opponent Mary Judge Ryan, on leave as chief deputy in the Pima County Attorney's office, took in 42 percent with 92 percent of precincts reporting.
"I think the results are pretty much how I anticipated," Cunningham told the Arizona Daily Wildcat from his home.
Cunningham said he plans to focus on the Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe "contrasting" votes as the campaign heads into November.
"This election is about Jim Kolbe - how he votes in town and in Congress," he said.
Cunningham cites minimum wage, health care and education as examples of Kolbe voting differently than what he previously promised.
"He's masquerading as a moderate," he said. "But, I look forward to unmasking him."
Cunningham, who currently represents District 13 for the State House said he wants to ensure UA students will have the same benefits as older generations.
"(I will be) shoring up Social Security and Medicare, so it'll be there for the next generation," he said.
"Students from the UA do not wish to be saddled with the responsibilities of taking care of their parents and family," Cunningham added.
Incumbent Congressman Jim Kolbe who has held the seat for 16 years won the vote, defeating GOP candidate Joesph Sweeney once again.
Sweeney has campaigned every two years against Kolbe since 1984.
Ted Downing, UA professor of social development and Democratic candidate for Arizona House of Representatives, secured a spot on the ballot against Democrat Gabrielle Giffords.
Giffords and Downing will be campaigning against Carol Somers Johnathon Paton for the District 13 seat in the state House of Representatives.
