Student campaigns on college budget

In a year of almost unprecedented political activism among young people, one IU student is taking his involvement a step further.\nSenior Nicholas R. Blesch is the Libertarian candidate for District 61 State Representative. District 61 covers Bloomington and Washington Townships and all of IU.\n"I decided to run for the position after researching the current representative Matt Pierce's (R-District 61) voting record in the House. I did not agree with Pierce's decisions and policies," said Blesch, whose campaign platform addresses the economy, schools and I-69. \nGovernment politics were not Blesch's main interest until about a year ago. \n"If you asked me about a year and half ago about running for office, I would have laughed," said Blesch. \nLast year Blesch's interests changed when he became involved with the Monroe County Libertarian Party. Blesch liked what the Libertarian Party offered and stood for. He started attending their meetings and became an active member. When the Libertarian Party asked its members if anyone was interested in running for the District 61 state representative position, Blesch stepped up.\n"I did not think running for the position would require a lot of work, however this campaign has required about double the work than expected," said Blesch. \nManaging a campaign and attending college full-time is a difficult balancing act, but Blesch said he has received overwhelming support from his professors, the Libertarian party and his parents. \n"My professors have been extremely helpful in not allowing me to fall behind in my courses," Blesch said. "The Monroe County Libertarian party has been very helpful and supportive with my campaign. My parents have always encouraged me to go above and beyond. They have supported (me) from day one."\nOnce Blesch received the Libertarians' approval, he quickly began to set up his campaign. The majority of Blesch's campaign is focused on Bloomington residents. In the past few months, he went door-to door introducing himself, gave speeches and posted press releases. Blesch has also talked with college students at events like Rock the Vote at Foster Quad about a month go. \nSo far, Blesch has run his entire campaign on a budget of less than $500.\n"The majority of money which is supporting my campaign is coming from donations," he said. "Most of the help that I have received were people donating their personal time and I am very grateful for all of the help I have received."\nErin Hollinden, secretary of the Monroe County Libertarian Party, has played an important role in Blesch's campaign. Since Blesch's decision to run for office, she has worked with him to develop his campaign. However, Hollinden has not played a major role in the selection of issues Blesch is campaigning for.\n"I have offered a little advice about issues that should be addressed, but the majority of Blesch's ideas come from everyone at the Libertarian Party," Hollinden said. \nBlesch said he wants to create a bill that will get rid of property tax and inventory tax for the entire state. He said he believes the removal of these two taxes will encourage businesses to open in Indiana. Also, Blesch said he hopes to lower the amounts of paperwork required to open a small business. \nHe also said he believes Indiana should change the current school system to a charter school program. He wants to remove the school boards and let the teachers and parents become more active in the school functions.\nFinally, Blesch vehemently opposes the construction of I-69. He said he believes the construction of I-69 will cost too much money and land. \nJunior Sarah Thomas said she supports a student running for a government position. She said she believes a college student in office will better represent the college student body of Indiana. A stronger voice in local government will help improve higher education in the state, she said. \n"Having a student in local government will better express the opinions of college students than someone who hasn't attended a college course in twenty years," she said. "A person currently tackling college courses and costs will have a better understanding of what a typical college student and parent are facing."\nContact District 61 State Representative candidate Nicholas Blesch at nblesch@indiana.edu. \n-- Contact staff writer Nick Pittman at npittman@indiana.edu.