Regent Power to campaign in Nov.

University Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) announced Saturday he will seek a second full term on the University Board of Regents in the upcoming November elections.

"Even though I served on the board 11 years ... the job is not done yet," Power said.

The eight-year terms of Power and Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek) end this year. McFee has previously stated she will not seek another term in office.

Power, who is currently the senior member on the board, said he will center his campaign around four major issues - diversity, research, affordable education and the affirmation of the University as an outstanding public university.

"These are four big priorities and four things I really would like to spend another eight years working on," Power said. "We have a lot of work to do with diversity. The University is under assault for its policies on affirmative action."

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) works at the Ann Arbor-based HomeTown Communications Network, which he chairs. Power will run for re-election next fall.

Power said he also would like to see University research findings move "from the lab into the marketplace" for greater economic development.

Allocating a portion of tuition funds to increase financial aid is another plank in Power's campaign.

"There is also the question of how to keep education affordable for middle class families," Power said. "I think these issues have been around for a long time and I expect there will be discussion about them."

Former Regent Dean Baker (R-Ann Arbor), who has said he will run for re-election this year, said he was not surprised by Power's decision.

"It's entirely suspected and no surprise," said Baker, who lost a re-election bid in 1996. "Phil has been a regent for many years and I did work with him."

Power has formed a committee to support his re-election efforts, co-chaired by Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Goodrich) and Bill Beckham, president of New Detroit - an organization that is working on the renaissance of Detroit.

"The focus of the committee is two fold," Power said. "It is to gain broad support from all parts of the party and to gain access and to those (involved) for their advice and their help."

Power said he asked Maynard to co-chair the committee because of her experience in campaigning for the Democratic Party.

"She has very deep and broad experience in the party," Power said.

While the Michigan Republican Party has announced four candidates - Baker, state Rep. Jessie Dalman (R-Holland), David Brandon, former Michigan Republican Party finance chair, and Engineering junior Jim Riske - Power is currently the only Michigan Democratic Party candidate for nomination to run in the November election.

"Another candidate will be announced by the filing date, May 12," said Miyoshi Shaw, communications director for the Michigan Democratic Party.

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