Alum runs for governor of Fla.

University alumnus Peter Sweda has put his political science degree to work by running for governor of Florida in the upcoming primary election. The 1979 College graduate said he credits the education he received at the University as an influence on his decision to enter into politics. He said Political Science professors did a "phenomenal job" in teaching him about the American voting system. Political Science Chairperson Oliver Williams was especially influential, Sweda said. But Williams said does not remember Sweda -- "I've had thousands of students," he said. He added, though, that he is "very proud that [Sweda] went into politics" because Williams often "talked against the negativism of public life" in his courses. "There's a lot that is positive about public life," Williams said. "I've always tried to teach that it's a good calling, not a sorry calling." Sweda -- who is slated against Jeff Bush, the son of former President George Bush -- is running his campaign based on a platform which includes issues from the building of new highways to tackling crime at its root causes. "Florida is a crazy state," Sweda said. "There's not a logical crime pattern." An aspect of his platform which might be of particular interest to many at his alma mater is his clarion call for the public education about sexually transmitted diseases, especially within the collegiate community. The spread of sexually transmitted diseases is particularly a problem for college students when they hit the beaches of Florida during their spring break, Sweda said. He reported that between 15 and 18 thousand people pass around different kinds of STDs each year during Florida's spring break season. Sweda's "Twelve Point Program" has received a lot of attention in a race dominated by Bush, he said. Although he said he is not as strong of a contender as Bush, Sweda said he has gained increasing support in his race for governor. "[Bush is] getting money, but he doesn't have the knowledge [I have]," he said. Sweda added that he has been boosted recently by the reaction he has received over his upcoming book, Building Florida's Future Today. He said he would advise students interested in pursuing a career in politics that "real experience is better than book learning."