Tucson Republican seeks congressional seat

Ruth McClung is seeking the Arizona Republican Party's nomination to run against Congressman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. District 7, in this year's election.

She received her bachelor of science in physics from the University of Arizona in 2004. She lives in Tucson and works as a rocket scientist for a company contracted with the government.

McClung said it was time to run against Grijalva.

"I think people here need a choice and so I’m getting my issues out, he’s getting his issues out and people will be able to make a choice between them."

There are others in the Republican Party who are seeking the same nomination to run for Congress in District 7. If she is chosen, McClung said, she will run on a platform in direct odds with Grijalva.

"Grijalva believes that solutions are made in Washington, D.C., and some decisions are, but I believe we need a lot of our power and money to come back to the local level."

McClung wants to put the power of government back in the hands of her constituents, she said.

"I'm a big believer in local solutions, local people - your friends and neighbors deciding on things. Grijalva believes people in Washington should decide on things, and when it comes to deciding on things like schools, I think people that are here that live in the community and know what is going on should make the big decisions.

McClung loves to talk to the common man to find out what concerns they have, she said.

"A lot of people have great ideas. I want to listen to constituents and let people have more choice in what goes into their personal life and how to help their friends and neighbors."

McClung believes Grijalva's call for a boycott on the state of Arizona in protest of SB 1070 is a big mistake. The controversial state statute gives local police agencies the authority to enforce immigration laws.

"Grijalva shouldn't have attacked the people of Arizona," she said. "If he didn't like the bill, he should have spoken up but he shouldn't have attacked the working people of Arizona. When you ask for a boycott, you are hurting everyone in the state."

McClung said SB 1070 isn't perfect but is a step in the right direction.

"I think Arizona finally had enough and they passed this bill. I don't think it is optimum, but I do think Arizona is trying to defend itself and I think that's good. If we aren't getting help, we need to defend ourselves."

The border needs to be secured, McClung said.

"There are people in this world that want to kill us. We can’t have an open border, we need to know who is coming in and out of our country.

"Then again, I’m 100 percent in support of immigration. I think we need an immigration system that is a little less bureaucratic. I would 100 percent support a guest worker program as long as it’s good.

McClung said dealing with the issue of those already in the U.S. illegally is a tough subject.

"I don't think we can round up people and send them back, but I don't think it's fair ... I would support something where they could get a permanent green card but not citizenship. I think that they needed to come the right way."

McClung doesn't believe Grijalva has been giving fair representation to all parts of District 7.

"Yuma has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and he should represent Yuma. Maricopa and west Phoenix are ground zero for the housing crisis, once again another area he is supposed to represent that has been very harmed financially ... Grijalva should have been pushing for stuff that would help us in Arizona."

McClung said it is her intention to represent each part of her district fairly.

"It is a very diverse district. I would like to help people in Washington but when it comes to decisions that affect their area, the decisions need to be made here. I want Yuma to be represented, so I've talked to a lot of people here, every party line. They don't feel represented here, and I’d like that to change."

For more information about McClung, log on to www.ruth4az.com or call 1-520-579-5734.