By
Hillary Davis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Democratic U.S. House of Representatives hopeful George Cunningham, along with a handful of young supporters, filmed a campaign commercial on the UA campus yesterday touting the candidate's views on affordable college education.
"Very often the cost of a college education places a very heavy burden on families, and we need to make sure every student and family has the opportunity to pursue a college education," Cunningham said.
The 30-second to one-minute campaign spot features Cunningham and about 10 University of Arizona students - mainly members of the UA Young Democrats club - walking along East University Boulevard just past Main Gate, discussing such topics as tax-free college loans and Pell grants.
The commercial will be broadcast on local television stations beginning in mid-October, Cunningham said.
Cunningham attended the UA in the 1960s, receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration.
Currently an Arizona state senator, Cunningham also served as the UA vice president of administrative services from 1985 to 1988.
Cunningham claimed victory over opponent Mary Judge Ryan, on leave as chief deputy in the Pima County Attorney's Office, in the Sept. 12 Tucson Democratic primary race for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 5.
He will now face Republican incumbent Jim Kolbe - who has held the congressional seat for 16 years - in November.
Political science junior and Young Democrats president Melinda Mills, who appeared in the commercial, said Cunningham is sympathetic to the situations college students face.
"He's really looking out for college students, and understands what they need," Mills said. "He really has an understanding of what the priorities in education need to be right now."
Election day is Nov. 7.
