Local Democrats met with College Democrats at IU on Wednesday to explain their campaign and election goals, as well as to urge them to go to the polls.
Students listened to the state- and local-level candidates, asking questions so they could better understand what each candidate, specifically, represented.
“These are the people that you want to know because they’re going to be interacting with you,” IU Democrats President Terry Tossman said. “They’re going to be making a lot of decisions that really matter.”
Because all of the candidates at the event were Democratic, they shared similar views on politics. Each was running for a different type of office or sector.
IU Academic advisor Mark Fraley, who is involved with the Monroe County Democratic Party, told students if they wished to vote completely Democratic, they should also be conscious that the straight ticket does not cover some of the local-level positions. Three are in a separate area of the ballot.
“Make sure to remember to vote D plus three,” Fraley said.
Some of the candidates running for office, such as Penny Githens, candidate for State Representative District 60, and John Gregg, candidate for Governor of Indiana, were unable to make it to the event.
However, IU students Morgan Murphy and Vincent Halloran represented both candidates, discussing their stances and goals. Githens is focused on education and clearing up construction around town, Murphy told the students.
Halloran said Gregg is more focused on LGBT rights and the war on women.
“I really want to make sure Indiana will be blue again,” Halloran said. “If you could come in and make a difference, this is the year to do it and this is the year to get involved.”
Candidate for U.S. Senator Evan Bayh was also unable to make it, but his representative Dustin Collins talked about some of Bayh’s accomplishments. Bayh played a crucial role in developing the 21st Century Scholars Program.
“I know a ton of your friends and colleagues on campus would not be able to afford a school like IU without that program, and that’s all possible because of Evan Bayh,” Collins said.
Democrat Jessica McClellan advocated her candidacy for Treasurer. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and claims it has helped her in her work.
“You work with everybody, whether they’re Democratic or Republican,” McClellan said.
Running for State Representative District 46 is Democrat Bill Breeden, who had not originally planned to run for office.
Breeden found out about a bill written and passed that defined a fetus as a fertilized egg. He did not agree, and he told students he woke up in the middle of the night and decided it was time to get involved. He submitted his file that day, the day it was due, with 45 minutes to spare.
“Candidates don’t win elections — people win elections. We need you, we need your help,” Breeden said.
Another Democratic candidate works at the IU Media School. Lecturer Matt Pierce is running for state representative. He has been involved in politics since his days in college, even helping to elect one of his friends at the time to the state legislature. Pierce talked about ways in which he wants to see Indiana improve.
“We’re going to have a hard time getting there with the jokers that run this state right now,” Pierce said. “Tell your friends we have the power, and we have to use it.”
Also running for state representative is Steve Lindsey, who wants to represent District 62. He said he believes everyone should vote. He reiterated points the other candidates made.
“Government was created for the people, by the people,” Lindsey said. “We haven’t had that for eight years. Here’s a chance to give it back to the people.”
