Congressional redistricting in Arizona put a number of elected positions up for grabs, with two District 5 candidates lobbying their platforms to the ASU community.
Republican congressional incumbent for the 6th District, J.D. Hayworth, and Democratic candidate Craig Columbus will go head-to-head in the Nov. 5 elections.
Congressional redistricting has moved the University from the first congressional district to the fifth, an area that encompasses everything from Tempe to Fountain Hills and all the way up to the City of Scottsdale.
"Tempe is up for grabs," said Columbus, who held a breakfast on campus last week with approximately 15 University faculty members. "I understand what an asset ASU is to the business community. I am trying to invest time and energy in connecting with faculty, staff and students."
According to his campaign manager, Columbus raised $500 from the breakfast.
"The focus was to listen to the concerns of the faculty," Columbus said. "If there's one thing I've learned, you get a lot out of listening to other people."
In attendance at the breakfast was history professor Kyle Longley, who said Columbus is better suited to represent ASU.
"I think he would be a perfect fit for the 5th District," Longley said. "He needs to get his name out. Much of the district is disenchanted with J.D. Hayworth."
Columbus said one of his priorities is to make it easier for ASU graduates to find a job once they leave college.
"We've been trying to talk about issues very important to students," Columbus said. "The top of that list is jobs. It's hard for new graduates to find employment."
While Columbus criticized some of his Republican opponent's ideals, Hayworth said he was happy to hear that Columbus took an opportunity to reach out to ASU faculty.
"I am certainly glad that he took time to come down to campus," Hayworth said. "I look forward to the race, and I trust the students and faculty to make a good decision."
The 6th District that Hayworth currently represents includes parts of Mesa and Scottsdale all the way up to the Four Corners area.
Hayworth has not yet brought his campaign to ASU, but the Republican candidate has taken credit for participating in the ASU Mars project as well as assisting ASU President Michael Crow with government relations.
"I think real results are what counts, and I have been working [with ASU] prior to the realignment," Hayworth said. "We are poised for ASU to become one of the leading research universities. I want to make sure folks in the federal government recognize ASU."
Reach the reporter at andrew.bernick@asu.edu.
