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UA prof declares candidacy

Andrew Nichols, UA family and community medicine professor, wears running shoes.

"I am wearing running shoes because I am running for (state) senator," he told a crowd of about 50 on Saturday.

Nichols, D-Tucson, promised to improve health care and education for the future of Arizona.

Dr. Nichols told onlookers at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Hall in Tucson that he was running to replace Sen. George Cunningham, D-Tucson, who is running for the U.S. Congress.

"Andy is an extraordinary man and has earned statewide respect and recognition," Cunningham said. "He is very qualified for the position of senator."

Nichols - also the director of the Rural Health Office at the University of Arizona - is working on a college savings program, which helps parents save money for college before their children are even born.

He said he thinks everyone deserves a chance for education and is working hard on scholarships to help reach that goal.

Senior citizens and children are in need of better health care plans, Nichols said. He added that he would like to see schools become a more decent learning environment.

"I would like to preserve the beauty of Arizona that makes this state so special," Nichols said.

Many of Dr. Nichols' friends and colleagues were in attendance and were pleased with his senatorial ideas and plans.

Dimitri Downing, a candidate for state representative in another Tucson district, said he has admired Nichols' support for better education ever since Downing attended UA law school.

"He is a good friend of mine and he inspired me to become more involved in politics," Downing said.