Election apathy in Dist. 5
Dustin Nolte
Candidates for two Arizona congressional districts, Spencer Morgan, Democrat and Powell Gammill, Libertarian shared vastly different views on funding education and addressed student apathy during the ASMCC Student Forum on Oct. 1.
What started as a traditional debate open to audience questions changed to a sit down, town hall style conversation between the candidates and student leaders from ASMCC due to low student turnout.
“While the low student turnout was unfortunate it’s not due to apathy,” said Morgan, a former MCC student body president running in District 5.
“They just need motivation. With the way candidates treat students and all voters in their district I’m surprised anyone goes out to vote,” Morgan said.
His debate opponent, Gammill, had a different viewpoint.
He is running for congress for the fifth time, this time in District 9, and said the low turnout for the event was not that unusual.
“They had better things to do, good for them,” Gammill said, “I hope they don’t vote.”
Andrew Kuhn, president of ASMCC, served as the debate moderator and blamed the turnout on the lack of big name candidates and the lack of controversy.
“People attend when they are angry or there is drama,” Kuhn said, “These candidates aren’t controversial, there are no big names; no one is a big player.”
Although he was annoyed and disappointed about the turnout, Kuhn said he would do more to get students involved.
“If I have to, I will go into classrooms and throw flyers at people,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn contacted teachers before the event hoping to get students engaged, he said.
The turnout did not get in the way of either candidate sharing vastly different visions on education in the country.
Morgan opened the debate with a shot at Republican Matt Salmon, his opponent in District 5 who did not attend the debate.
“What devastated tonight is half of the candidates that were supposed to be here and discuss the issues didn’t show up,” Morgan said, “Candidates who treat you like three out of five candidates did tonight; they don’t deserve your vote.”
“It’s unfortunate we don’t have the voices we need to educate the voters of this district,” Morgan said.
“If candidates don’t show up, if they skip even a single debate you shouldn’t vote for them,” Morgan said.
“You have to demand of candidates and elected officials to be heard,” Morgan said.
Gammill chose instead to open with a statement of his principles.
“I’m a libertarian. Libertarians live by a single principle: you will not initiate force on another individual,” Gammill said.
“There isn’t a true choice offered in the election as there is no difference between Republicans and Democrats,” Gammill said.
“This election thing is a farce,” Gammill said.
After their opening remarks both candidates answered debate prompts about funding education, and the Dream Act.
Morgan made a case for an active government role in funding education, pointing out he only completed his education with the help of Pell grants.
He said he would encourage all states to increase funding to education, and he would set up a task force to convince states to do that. He also said he would vote for the Dream Act if elected, calling it a good first step.
