RANDY METCALF/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sitting with his campaign manager Robing Fasano, Tom Volgy prepares to declare his candidacy for Tucson mayor yesterday afternoon. Volgy served as Tucson's mayor from 1987 ÷ 1991 after serving as a city councilman for 10 years.

Former mayor and current UA political science professor Tom Volgy announced yesterday that he will challenge Mayor Bob Walkup in a bid to win back his old job.

More than 150 people, including UA students, showed up to a Democrats of Greater Tucson meeting yesterday to support Volgy.

Volgy said he was surprised to see so many people at the meeting, including his students.

"It was truly humbling," Volgy said. "I didn't invite (my students) because I don't recruit students for my campaigns, but I was really surprised."

Volgy's plans for mayor include improving the amount of adequate health care provided for Tucson families, reducing Tucson's working poverty, improving the education system and improving the city's transportation system.

"What we need is to be far more creative with the resources we have," Volgy said. "Tucson will need workable, cost effective ideas."

Volgy also stressed the importance of protecting what is unique to Tucson, such as the natural desert.

I'm making this campaign not about personality, not about words, but about making Tucson what it can be. - Tom Volgy

"I want to be the mayor of Tucson because I believe I can offer the hard work and dedication to make Tucson the best it can be," Volgy said.

Volgy, 56, has taught at the UA since 1972, when he moved to Tucson and received his first job out of graduate school.

Of his 32 years in Tucson, he has served 14 in office.

Volgy was a city councilman from 1977 ÷ 1987 and mayor from 1987 ÷ 1991.

During his terms in office, Volgy continued to teach full time at the UA.

If elected, Volgy said he would continue to teach at the UA, but cut back to part time.

"Doing both last time, I worked 14 hours a day seven days a week," he said. "But to me, (politics) is an act of passion; my real profession is here. I can't give that up."

At yesterday's meeting, Volgy announced that his campaign would be in the tradition of democrats across the state.

"I'm making this campaign not about personality, not about words, but about making Tucson what it can be," he said.

Attendees were enthusiastic about Volgy's announcement.

"I'm a democrat, and I really support Tom's candidacy," UA women's studies lecturer Judith McDaniel said. "He's a really intelligent politician."

"Tom Volgy has knowledge and passion for how cities work. That's why Tucson needs Tom Volgy," said Democrats for Greater Tucson President Paula Aboud.

Volgy said that he does not expect much support for his campaign outside Pima County from the state and legislature.

"We are mostly on our own," Volgy said.

However, his supporters still think his chances of winning the vote in November are good.

"(His chances) are real great, period," said Tucson City Councilman Steve Leal. "I think he can win."

Aboud said that Volgy is a giant in Pima County politics and praised him for going to the people, rather than turning to a commercial campaign to announce his plans to run for office.

Walkup, 66, announced his plans to run for a second term earlier this month. He was elected mayor in 1999.

During Mayor Walkup's term, Volgy has criticized his work.

"I say this is not progress. This is a path to self-destruction. This is not good enough for Tucson," Volgy said.

Walkup was not available for comment yesterday.