Ted Downing

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Downing, Ted (Independent)

Phone: (520) 445-3303
Email: ted@votedowning.com
Website: www.votedowning.com
1402 E Kleindale Road, Tucson, AZ 85719

Age: 67 (2/22/43, Tulsa, OK).

Arizona since: 1971.

Occupation:Faculty, UofA, since 1971; international consultant on social development since 1987.

Marital: Married (Carmen).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Unitarian.

Education: Ph.D., social anthropology, Stanford, 1973; M.A., Stanford, 1966; B.A., Beloit College, 1965.

Political experience includes: Ran in seven races since 2000 (won five, lost two); held various Democratic Party offices when I was a Democrat. House, 2003-2006.

Memberships have included: National Writer’s Union Local 1981, since 2001; founder, Project Restoration, A Philip Randolph Institute, 2003-07; Tucson Civil Rights Coalition, 2000-04; Richland Heights Neighborhood Association, vice president,1985-00; Society for Applied Anthropology, former president; American Association of University Professors, AZ Chapter, former state president; American Civil Liberties Union, AZ, board member.

Interests: Banjo pluckin’, amateur radio, photography and writing.

Issues:

Political influence: My grandfather, Airy Snelson, and the late Senator Andy Nichols. They convinced me of the significance of working at the state level. The states are like 50 laboratories where Americans test new ways of governing themselves. The real innovations in our republic happen at the state level and below.

Budget recommendations: Revenue and expense problems are always with us. I recommend we surgically cut expenditures and cautiously increase revenue. The current situation will be solved by growing our way out again, but in a different way than we have grown before. All want good jobs for those who want them. The problem is how and what should be the limit of government in job creation. Our economy lacked diversity and was too dependent on construction – particularly housing. What will be our new economic base for Arizona? I don’t think many have a clue. So let’s work on this. I favor working with our congressional delegation to bring home more federal tax dollars to at least a 2:1 ratio. My three-point economic recovery plan is at www.votedowning.com.

Other concerns: In the spirit of Arizona’s history of governance reform, I am actively working to change not who, but how we make political decisions. I share the public’s distrust and disgust with the current structure. The recent poll found that 3/4 of Arizonans desire nonpartisan primary elections, something like Washington State and California. Let’s give Arizonans the right to vote on reform. I will support a measure on the 2012 ballot for nonpartisan top-two primaries and to cut the Legislature in half to a single chamber with 45 members representing 45 districts. The second part of my overall legislative work will emerge, as it has in the past two terms, from the concerns of my constituents. This is the origin of my work, not some special interest that I serve. As an independent, focusing on that priority will be easier than in the past.

Fiscal philosophy: I am a fiscal conservative and took a bullet from the incumbent in 2006 when she disagreed with my attempts to amend the Rio Nuevo extension bill to include transparency and accountability. In 2010, the Legislature hopefully corrected it, but over $200M may have fallen down a rat hole. It is a classic example of what happens when government money is tossed at an idea that lacks planning.

Background & experience: My previous two terms in the House showed that I actually did deliver results to Arizona despite the handicap of being, at that time, a Democrat. I worked and passed legislation on election integrity (paper ballots and audits), energy savings, protecting pets from being stolen for dog fights, and more. I know when to tuck in my ego and not try to be the first name on a bill.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I favor it, provided it is temporary and if the money goes to education. Interest groups swirling around the Capitol need to take a Zen attitude to work with me. Nothing can be legislated forever, including tax credits or exemptions and tax increase. The fact this measure had to be referred to the voters indicates the failure of the Legislature to rise above its partisan infighting and gridlock and do its job. My reform proposals for nonpartisan primaries with top two advancing the general and the unicameral idea grows out of my research that shows better decision-making and fiscal responsibility occurs in another system.

Pro-life/pro-choice: Abortion is a medical procedure and a woman’s personal choice, but I cannot support partial-birth abortion.

One last thing: This nonpartisan senatorial candidate reflects the interest of his district, not that of a political party, a narrow interest group, a business, an agency, or any extreme agenda. Unlike the other candidates in the race, my wife of over four decades and I have raised a family in this community. Our lives match that of the district. And, most of them, both Republican and Democrat, are, like me, independent-minded people. The ~Tucson Citizen~ strongly endorsed me against the incumbent in 2006 saying that “Ted tends to follow his conscience and represent his constituents – even when he must separate from the herd.” That’s me – neither an R nor a D. And that is the way Arizona is becoming.

Campaign Finance: private