By
Ayse Guner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Candidates for state House disappointed
Nine candidates running for the Arizona House of Representatives came to the university to present their missions on higher education last night, but left disappointed with UA students' interest.
Only 20 people attended the meeting, most of which were relatives of the candidates.
"It is unfortunate that more people couldn't attend to hear for themselves what the candidates stand for so the voters can make informed choices," said Charlene Ledet, legislative advocacy director for the University of Arizona.
An audience member from the meeting, Rosemary S. Oviedo, a Tucson resident, said she really enjoyed the forum, but she was also disappointed with the public attendance to the meeting.
"These are the people who will represent us so everybody in Tucson should be attending these forums," Oviedo said.
The candidates said they were also disappointed that few people were in attendance, even though some said this forum brought out higher numbers than usual.
"We would like to have seen hundreds of them to deliver that message," Carol Sommers, a republican candidate, said.
Candidates were asked about what role they thought public universities should play in future of Arizona, and about the greatest needs that are facing public universities.
They also discussed universities' loss of faculty and staff because of low funding, major areas to spend more money and the Arizona 2000 sales tax initiative.
"Candidates handled the questions very well," Ledet said.
All candidates agreed to fight for an increase in funding that would go to the university faculty.
Because of under-funding, "our best professors are leaving," said Howard Shore, R- Tucson.
They also conceded that students should be kept in Arizona businesses to improve the economy.
"We need people who are going to the UA to stay here and work," said Wayne Sunne, a libertarian candidate.
Candidates also debated where the extra funding would come from. Some candidates proposed getting some money from tuition increases.
Dunbar said the tuition of the UA ranked 48-lowest around the country and supported an increase that would bring it up to 32 in nation.
Andy Nichols, a democratic candidate, said funding should not come from tuition.
"Can't we come up with free tuition to every child in Arizona?" he said. "The day we do that we will see more graduation."
Other candidates attended the meeting were Colette Barajau, Ted Downing, Gabrielle Giffords and Jonathan Payton. The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. in Marwin D. "Swede" Johnson Building.
The election for the house of representatives will be held on September 12.
