By Daniel Scarpinato
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday October 29, 2002
Dave Bradley (D)
Education: Master's in education, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.; master's in business administration, University of Phoenix; bachelor's in psychology, University of Maryland.
Experience: Director of La Paloma Family Services; former chairman of the local Democratic Party; Navy petty officer first class 1972-1980; ran for Legislature unsuccessfully in 1992 and 2000.
At-a-glance: Bradley, 49, says that his No. 1 reason for running for office is "kids."
As director of La Paloma Family Services, Bradley said he has 93 kids in his care. He himself is a parent and a grandparent.
His top issues are healthcare and workforce development. As a state representative, he'd work to widen the tax base.
Bradley said he would try to avoid cutting into education when faced with balancing the state's more than $1 billion projected budget shortfall.
Health and welfare should be the first to be protected, he said. Safety is next, followed by education.
Ted Downing (D)
Education: Doctorate and master's in social anthropology, Stanford University; bachelor's in anthropology, Beloit College in Wisconsin.
Experience: UA professor; owner and president of software company; co-chairman of the Tucson Civil Rights Coalition; former consultant to the United Nations on social/economic development; ran for Legislature in 2000.
At-a-glance: Downing, 59, currently a UA professor, wants to see the state invest in people, he said. His motto is to put "Need before greed."
When balancing the budget, Downing would try to close tax exemptions and advocate a half-cent sales tax decrease as a stimulus package.
He said that the cuts in the university budgets have been a burden on students. When classes are cut, it takes longer for students to graduate, he said.
He said the Focused Excellence plan needs to leave room for more than just money-generating research.
Ed Poelstra (R)
Education: Attended Pima Community College, graduate of Desert View High School.
Experience: Elected to House in 2000. Safety/security consultant, former property manager.
At-a-glance: Poelstra, 32, describes himself as a moderate Republican, and promises not to simply vote "down the party lines."
He said that his experience in the House sets him apart from his fellow candidates.
Dealing with the budget is not just about cuts, he said; it's also about closing some loopholes. But cuts will be inevitable, he said.
The university has been cut all it can, Poelstra said, and vowed to protect it from further cuts.
He supports Focused Excellence in its early stages, but wants to make sure that is not "overly strict."
His anticipated position as chairman of a House committee will elevate Tucson's play on the state level, he said.
