UA alumna and rocket scientist Ruth McClung is seeking election as a Republican representing the congressional district that includes the UA.

McClung stressed the prime opportunity to turn District 7 red in a speech made to UA College Republicans yesterday at the Student Union Memorial Center.

“”We need to get out the vote,”” McClung said to an audience of about 25 club members. McClung petitioned that club members get involved in campaigns and the Republican cause.

The 7th Congressional District includes the UA and is represented by Democrat Raúl Grijalva.

“”He is the most left politician,”” McClung said. “”We looked up his voting record… it’s disgusting.””

McClung graduated from the UA with a bachelor’s in physics in 2004.

“”I learned a lot,”” McClung said. “”College gets hard.””

McClung recognizes the necessity to strengthen the economy through her policies.

“”We need to get the economy moving again,”” McClung said. “”Lots of college graduates are having trouble finding jobs.””

Despite her university focus, many people in Congressional District 7 do not have college degrees.

“”Only 15 percent of my district has a college education,”” McClung said. “”Money needs to be more available to students.””

McClung mused over possibly creating new loan and grant programs that not only help students pay for school but also stimulate education from kindergarten onto high school.

Loan recipients would be required to tutor or mentor students in local grade schools or high schools.

“”Overall, I really want to boost education,”” McClung said.

McClung also disagreed over the federal government taking complete control of Stafford Loans.

It can boost the cost of education and competition by private companies and can help out students, McClung said.

After her undergraduate studies at Arizona, McClung began pursuing a master’s in optical sciences.

Though she did not complete the program, McClung cites her experiences in research and in her career as a rocket scientist give her a sense of familiarity with the sciences.

Scientific advancement is a major issues that McClung stressed.

“”A lot that scientific research does is productive to society,”” McClung said. “”You can’t ignore anybody when it comes to science.””

McClung described the necessity to help out every originator of scientific research.

While McClung noted the importance of university research and private companies, she also cited the significance of  “”garage scientists,”” McClung described.

“”The Wright brothers weren’t experts,”” McClung said. “”You can’t ignore the individual researchers.””