UA professor sets sights on Washington

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat UA political science professor and former Tucson mayor Thomas Volgy is running in todays primary election in the U.S. congressional race as a Democrat. Volgy will not take money from political action committees and has received support from about 100 members in the UA community.

The University of Arizona political science professor and former Tucson mayor is running in today's U.S. congressional Democratic primary against labor union official Wayne Bryant.

If successful, Volgy will face the daunting task of opposing seven-term House veteran Rep. Jim Kolbe in November's general election.

Still, supporters said Volgy could provide tough competition for the District 5 Republican.

"Typically, incumbents lose only 5 to 8 percent of the time," said political science department head William Mishler II, a Volgy campaign contributor. "It is hard to unseat a sitting member of Congress."

But Mishler said Volgy's track record and name recognition will allow him a fighting chance.

"Tom is the strongest competition Kolbe will have had in years," he said.

Volgy, who specializes in international politics at the UA, said his main objective for running is to give voters a greater voice.

"Congress is bought and sold," Volgy said. "We are going to capture back the right to be represented in Congress."

Volgy was Tucson's mayor from 1987 to 1991, when he made an unsuccessful bid at Rep. Morris Udall's seat during a special election. He also sat on the Tucson City Council from 1977 to 1987.

Volgy said his experience as mayor, city council member and university professor has given him insight on the importance of improving the financial accessibility of education.

"Higher education is too expensive," he said. "Many of my students take six years to graduate because they work 40 to 50 hours a week in addition to taking student loans."

Volgy said he has received support from about 100 members of the UA community, in the form of money and other donations.

Several of Volgy's UA supporters listed on documents filed with the Federal Election Commission include Arizona International College Dean Paul Rosenblatt, political science professor William Dixon and Mishler.

Volgy, who will not take political action committee money, said 1,400 people have contributed more than $190,000 to his campaign fund. He said most of that money is being saved for the November general election.

"The election strategy has always been against Kolbe," Volgy said. "We have not really spent any money on the primary."

Mishler said Volgy has a good chance of winning the primary, but that it should not be considered automatic.

"Tom has raised more money and that is a good indication of local support, and he has strong name recognition," Mishler said. "But the other guy (Bryant) cannot be dismissed."

Neither Kolbe nor Bryant could be reached for comment.

Anthony C. Braza can be reached via e-mail at Anthony.C.Braza@wildcat.arizona.edu.