College faculty favor Democrats? Donations speak for themselves

College faculty favor Democrats? Donations speak for themselves (Alberta Times) A ​​recent survey shows that faculty at three Arizona state universities and other colleges and universities...

College faculty favor Democrats? Donations speak for themselves (Alberta Times) A ​​recent survey shows that faculty at three Arizona state universities and other colleges and universities are more willing to open their wallets to Democratic candidates than to Republican fans as is generally believed. According to Federal Election Commission records, "Conkey News" found an interesting change. Since 2008, college faculty and staff have made about $730,000 in political donations, 85% of which were donated to Democratic candidates. The change defies the stereotype of Arizona as a tough Republican bastion. 1,060 faculty members at three state universities (about 3%) donated to presidential and congressional campaigns in 2008, 2010 and 2012. This year is a presidential election year. As of March 31, 52% of donations went to the Democratic Party and 48% to the Republican Party. In 2008, 89% went to the Democrats and 11% to the Republicans. As the top politician in Alberta, when John McCain ran for re-election in 2010, only 32% of university faculty donated to him, while 68% donated generously to his opponents, which was extremely embarrassing for McCain. Rep. Tom Chapin, D-Flagstaff, a member of the state House Higher Education Committee, said he was not surprised by the choice of faculty at the state's colleges and universities, given the repeated legislation by Republicans to cut education funding.