UA law student runs for city council

Arizona Daily Wildcat Demitri Downing

"Ward 3 is full of my family and friends," he said.

Ward 3 borders the University of Arizona on the north side. Several apartment complexes housing university students are located in the area.

Downing said he supports several plans that will benefit UA students in the area, including improving public transportation, bike paths leading to the university and interaction between city government and the university.

He said relations between the UA and the Tucson City Council have been strained in the past, citing such discordant issues as resident complaints about the University Medical Center helicopter.

"A lot of the residents view UA as a Goliath, but I feel that the UA is this community's greatest asset and the city should take advantage of that," he said.

He said he feels he has the vision to reconcile the community with the university.

"I believe my appreciation for the strength and tradition of UA will better allow me to make its resources available to city government and to work in unison with President Likins to forge new partnerships in community service," he said.

Downing has held office before, most recently as the current secretary of the Student Bar Association. He is also active in community service having volunteered as kids counselor at the Tucson Community Jewish Center. He said although he is pursuing a law degree, his goal is public service.

"My goal is not to use my law degree to make money but to serve the community I was raised in," he said.

The Democratic primary is on Sept. 16. Because Tucson has traditionally been a Democratic stronghold, the Democratic primary results are similar to the deciding election, Downing said. His opponents are Michael Crawford, Alex Kimellman and Jerry Anderson.

He has debated issues with his opponents in three community forums prior to the election. Another third-year law student, Jennie Garcia, has watched Downing during the debates.

"I thought Demitri seemed to know more about the issues. All of the candidates seemed to defer to Demitri," she said.

Currently, Downing is balancing campaigning with law school. He is in his final year in the College of Law and taking 16 credit hours.

"I take law school classes all day and campaign all night. That's my life until Sept. 16," he said.

He invites UA students interested in helping him on his campaign to contact him at 624- 3672. Volunteers may assist in his door-to-door campaign or in fund raising.