"Physics Prof. Donal Day says he is the best candidate to become the next state senator from Charlottesville.

Although Day said his chances of victory are slim, he said he has a shot at winning "because never before has the public been so disillusioned with the two major parties.

"Because the distinction between the major parties has become blurred and the Democrats and Republicans compete for the same investors for votes," there is an opening created for third-party candidates, he added.

As an independent candidate, Day will not receive campaign funds from a party organization. Since independents have routinely faced great difficulty in raising money, Day said, he will work to legislate campaign-finance reform, if elected.

"I would set at $100 the maximum for individuals, political-action committees or organizations to donate to a candidate so we can return to the idea that one person has one vote," he said.

This campaign is not Day's first attempt to win state office. In 1981, he ran for the House of Delegates as the candidate of the Citizen Party and received about 19 percent of the votes cast in a three-way race.

Day said he will run a campaign focusing on the economy, an area he said is of primary concern to Charlottesville residents.

"The greatest concern [of Charlottesville residents] this day is with their jobs and what would happen if they were to lose their jobs," he added. "The family is under great stress these days."

Charlottesville needs jobs that will support families, Day said.

The working people have no advocate, he said, and job security is a constant worry.

He added he was not happy with Charlottesville Mayor David J. Toscano's endorsement of Emily Couric for the Democratic nomination.

"Both Toscano and [Del. Mitch J.] Van Yahres acted as party hacks in endorsing Couric and did not necessarily address who the best candidate is," Day said.

Toscano said Day used a "poor choice of words" in calling him a "party hack."

He defended his endorsement of Couric.

"I look at who will make the best candidate, who has the best chances of winning and who will project most on the issues that are important to Charlottesville citizens," Toscano said.

He said Day does not have a very good chance of winning either the Democratic nomination or the election against the Republican candidate.

"There is not much base upon which he can win an election," he added. "Plus, since there is so much at stake in this election, the possible control of the legislature up in the air, people will be considering that when they vote."

Day said his campaign will be a grass roots drive centering on many public appearances.

"I'm just going to walk the streets, attend all the county fairs and kiss all the babies," Day said.

He also promised to bring up serious issues with the other candidates.

"We are going to raise the issues and demand that the other two candidates respond," he said.

On the political spectrum, Day said he was a progressive who is against capital punishment and in favor of abortion rights." (Kelly Geary, The Cavalier Daily, February 27, 1995)