College Dems sponsor visits from candidates
Ken Jacob and Kelly Schultz spoke at a meeting Thursday night.
April 11, 2008
Missouri Ninth Congressional District candidate Ken Jacob and talks with MU College Democrats president Caitlin Ellis on Thursday night. Jacob spoke about his plans to improve access to higher education.
This semester, the MU College Democrats have worked to get several candidates from various campaigns for Missouri elections to come to their meetings.
At Thursday’s meeting, three more candidates spoke to the students.
Kelly Schultz, a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives’ 21st district and a graduate of MU was the first to speak.
Schultz said there are three main components of her campaign: health care, education and finding better jobs.
“Education is the ultimate equalizer,” Schultz said. “Everybody has an opportunity in a public school. Every child has the opportunity to dream big and achieve it. Education and access to higher education is what will lead Missourians to better jobs.”
Schultz said this is a great year to be a college student who is interested in volunteering for a campaign, with opportunities including Facebook.com, electric newsletters and maintaining a Web site.
“You have candidates coming in who are looking for help,” Schultz said. “For students, they should first find one that you support and are passionate about. You then need to take a look at your résumé and how it is going to help you. Are you going to get grunt work or work that looks good on your résumé?”
Missouri Ninth Congressional Candidate Ken Jacob was the next to speak. The Ninth District includes Columbia, and Jacob said he believes voters should educate themselves before they vote.
“It is a really important decision for anyone to make,” Jacob said. “This is the first time this spot has really been open in the last 25 years.”
Jacob served parts of Columbia as a state senator and a state representative for 22 years.
He has been instrumental in many higher education bills in Missouri and was the author of the Bright Flight scholarship bill in 1986.
Jacob said his biggest accomplishment was the Missouri College Guarantee Program.
“The Missouri College Guarantee made going to college an entitlement to all students,” Jacob said. “The kid who came from the family with the least money available stood in line first for financial aid. The Republicans scrapped it last year, and it no longer favors the kid who needs the money the most. It favors the kid who goes to a private school.”
Jacob said another issue he wants improved is the nation’s lack of ability to be self-sufficient.
“We can’t rely on getting things from other countries,” Jacob said. “We at least have to be able to make our own suits and our own ties. We need to take care of ourselves first. The more we are able to take care of ourselves, the better off the rest of the world will be.”
Andria Simckes, who is running for state treasurer, was the final guest speaker. Simckes said this is a good time to be Democrat.
“These are very exciting times,” Simckes said. “Democrats are coming out bigger than ever. This is the year when we can take back the White House. This year, I am especially proud to say I’m a Democrat.”
Simckes said she believes expanding high school education is something Missouri needs to be focused on right now.
“I believe every person should leave high school knowing how to handle a check book, know how to save, and know to do if they go into debt,” Simckes said.
MU College Democrats President Caitlin Ellis said having candidates come to meetings as guest speakers is beneficial to both the candidates and the students.
The candidates come to promote themselves, but some are also looking for volunteers.
Ellis said sponsoring these guest speakers allows students to meet and form relationships to people who could have a huge impact on their future.
“It gives them a personal connection with a politician,” Ellis said. “Ken Jacob, who was here tonight, could be our next congressman. These people have been able to see him in a room with 30 or 40 people. They get to see and shake hands with someone who will likely be a policymaker.”
More April 11, 2008 Outlook Stories
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- College Dems sponsor visits from candidates — Ken Jacob and Kelly Schultz spoke at a meeting Thursday night.
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