By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Three-term state lawmaker to leave office in January
Arizona State Rep. Jean McGrath, R-Glendale, lost her bid for her fourth term in the House of Representatives Sunday, leaving some members of the UA community relieved.
Late-counted Maricopa County ballots revealed that retired hospital executive Phil Hanson had captured the Republican nomination for the District 17 seat.
McGrath held unpopular stances on certain issues affecting University of Arizona course content and student life.
Last year, McGrath expressed concern over the title of a women's studies course - "Women and Literature" - arguing that it contained lesbian content and its content was improperly advertised.
Elizabeth Kennedy, head of the women's studies department, said if all aspects of women's lives are studied, the topic of lesbianism would be included.
"In the year 2000, if you take a women's studies course it should be expected that you would read a book dealing with lesbianism," Kennedy said.
She added that no longer having McGrath in the state legislature could be positive.
"It is good for the university because I think she was trying to micromanage the university," Kennedy said. "She was paying attention to the little things and blew them out of proportion."
Kennedy also expressed concerns over McGrath trying to determine course content from her legislative position.
"That should be left up to the departments, the provost and the (university) president," Kennedy added.
McGrath, who chaired the House committee which oversaw higher education and prison legislation, was an outspoken critic of coed residence halls.
McGrath introduced a bill to make all dorms on university campuses single sex.
"She wanted to take away the right to choose where you live," said Sam Chang, task force director for the Arizona Student Association.
"I think we are all mature enough to handle living in a coed setting," Chang added.
While many opposed her views, McGrath was a pleasant person to work with, said Greg Fahey, UA state lobbyist.
"She is a very nice person and has dealt with me in a respectful manner," Fahey said. "I did not enjoy the bills she introduced though."
Fahey said that he has great respect for her position in the legislature, but McGrath took her power too far, too often.
"You don't tell the legislature what to do very much, but there was some overreaching on her part," he added.
