Charlie Manolakis figured the fastest way on to the ballot in this special election was as a Green Party candidate.
So, the 72-year-old longtime Democrat registered with the Green Party in February and got 13 signatures - eight more than he needed. His candidacy survived a legal challenge, ensuring that the retired substitute teacher will be on the ballot in the Congressional District 8 special election alongside Democrat Ron Barber and Republican Jesse Kelly.
He has been telling potential voters he is an "independent Democrat."
Though he's never run for public office, he says he has been a community activist for 40 years, standing up for civil rights and against the military-industrial complex. He says he was asked to run for governor of Massachusetts when he was involved in a movement against the military-industrial complex.
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"Every movement I've been in, I've been a leader," Manolakis said. "I've always been interested in health-care reform, and I've always been interested in the major issues of the country. I've been a very active citizen."
Born in Lowell, Mass., he grew up rafting down the Merrimack River playing as if he was Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
"I could take on any personality I wanted: El Conquistador, Native American, cowboy, Range Rider, Davy Crockett," Manolakis said. "I really enjoyed it. That's how I developed a great love of nature."
He moved to Boston when he was 12 and went to the University of Massachusetts, where he earned a degree in psychology.
He arrived to Tucson in 1974 after hitchhiking around the country with his dog. He fell in love with the area, which appealed to him as a budding photographer.
"The beauty around here, the sun and the light," Manolakis said. "I really loved it."
He is retired now but worked as a substitute teacher and counselor, he says.
He advocates for a single-payer system so more people can have health care.
"The greatest social injustice is to deny people health care," Manolakis said.
His campaign flier advocate for four issues:
• Health care for all.
• Bring the troops home as quickly as possible.
• Create jobs.
• Make sure all social contracts are in simple, direct and clear language.
Though he hasn't raised any money, and faces long, long odds to defeat Barber and Kelly, he said he's in it to win.
"I've got momentum going," he said. "And, I know that in a lot of ways I have the backing of the people."
He's the owner of 12 medals in the Senior Olympics, 10 of which are for swimming events. He still runs, swims or hikes regularly and loves to dance.
"I can run 10 miles a day, swim three miles anytime, and I can dance all day," Manolakis said.
He said he often goes to local festivals to dance and enjoy the music.
"I could make thousands of dollars for my campaign if I collected money for all the pictures taken of me dancing," he said.
Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com
