Democrat plays lottery in hopes of funding campaign

"I believe that I can win because God wants me to go to Washington," said Dave Fosca, a Tucson Democrat. "I could call myself a servant of God, but in Washington."

Fosca, who plans to run against Republican Sen. John McCain in the 1998 election, graduated from the University of Arizona in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in engineering. He earned his master's degree in bilingual and multicultural education at the UA in 1995.

To finance his campaign, Fosca is seeking contributors willing to donate a dollar a week to purchase Arizona Powerball tickets for the weekly Saturday night jackpot drawings.

"By contributing to the 'Dave Fosca Powerball List' they are helping themselves too," Fosca said.

Fosca said he decided to create the Powerball contribution list because of the high cost of running a competitive campaign for the Senate.

"I cannot afford to run," Fosca said.

He said he plans to buy the lottery tickets every week and eventually win the multimillion-dollar jackpot.

"Each person who contributes money will get a portion of the jackpot, depending on how much they contribute," Fosca said. "I put in two dollars a week so I will get two portions of the jackpot."

Fosca said the names of contributors will be placed on a list that will be given to the lottery office when he wins the jackpot.

While Fosca said he is confident he will be able to find support for his campaign, many students around campus do not share his vision.

Of 20 students interviewed yesterday, none said they would support Fosca's campaign.

"It sounds kind of far-fetched," said Courtney Faga, a communication senior.

"He's not going to beat McCain," said Melissa Miller, a psychology junior. "He (McCain) is too popular."

Likewise, local political leaders are skeptical about Fosca's fund-raising plan.

"Any credible candidate would not be trying to fund a campaign in that fashion," said Mike Hellon, Republican national committeeman of Arizona. "It sounds pretty bizarre."

Democrats are equally skeptical of Fosca's candidacy.

"I would say the odds are against him winning the Senate seat or even being taken seriously by the party," said Martin Bacall, Democratic national committeeman of Arizona.

Fosca said his top priority is education. However, he said he would like to move away from the traditional type of education that only focuses on the mind.

"Education is faulty because we forget the spirit," Fosca said. "We shouldn't forget conduct, ethics and good behavior."

While children are the key to the future, Fosca said he is also a part of this country's future.

"The new millennium is coming and they need someone special. I feel I am special," Fosca said.

When he asked the Democratic party for an endorsement, Fosca said he was discouraged from campaigning.

"The Democrats don't even know me," Fosca said. "They said it would be unfair to favor anyone. It is a way of getting rid of me."

According to Bacall, the Democratic party cannot endorse any Democratic candidate over another in a contested primary election. However, Bacall said the party offers assistance to any candidate with credentials and some sort of background.

"Credentials imply that the candidate has some sort of name recognition and a background that shows they have some qualifications to hold the office," Bacall said.

Fosca said he will ask other Democratic candidates to stand aside. He said he will tell other Democrats they have no chance of beating McCain in the general election.

Fosca said he will also ask McCain to clear the way for him.

"They are wasting their time and the Democratic party's money," Fosca said. "I say this respectively, I think he (McCain) should clear the way for me."

Despite the odds, Fosca said he is very confident that God will lead the way to Capitol Hill.

"I'm sure I will make it," Fosca said. "I believe God will help me."