Local politicians answered student questions
Jared Berg
Editor in Chief
Recently, a number of local politicians visited The College of Wooster in order to better inform the College community on local and statewide elections.
On Oct. 1, former Governor of Ohio and current Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Ted Strickland planned to make a campaign stop at The College of Wooster for a discussion with students and community members in Lowry Student Center.
The Wooster Democrats coordinated the visit with Strickland’s campaign. However, fifteen minutes before Strickland was scheduled to arrive, Strickland’s campaign manager informed the Wooster Democrats that Strickland’s car had broken down on the way from Mansfield.
In response, the Wooster Democrats called in local politicians to see if they could fill in for the absence of Strickland: Keith Mundy, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio’s 16th congressional district; Stephen Spoonamore, Independent candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives from the 1st district; and Mark Ditz, the Outreach Director for Thomas Teodosio, candidate for judge for the 9th District Court of Appeals.
The candidates or their respective representatives made a short pitch to the audience before taking questions from students and community members regarding their specific policy stances and proposals.
Mundy and Spoonamore sat down with the Voice afterwards to answer further questions.
With the Voice, Spoonamore discussed the specific responsibilities and powers held by state representatives as primarily being, “deciding a 68 billion dollar budget,” responsibilities that only marginally affect College of Wooster students.
However, Spoonamore did highlight the importance of having a state representative who is friendly to The College of Wooster. “There’s an enormous amount of access to state programs [for postgraduate opportunities] that [would be helped] by having somebody in the State house who loves the College and the mission[…]If you want a representative who believes in the College and its mission, vote Spoonamore. If you don’t, you’re putting someone in office who is actively hostile to the College and its mission.” Spoonamore is running against Republican Scott Wiggam.
Mundy, as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, has more oversight on issues that directly affect College of Wooster students. One issue that Mundy talked about at length in his preliminary speech and with the Voice was student loan debt.
Currently, 70 percent of Ohio students graduate college with debt averaging $30,000. Mundy recognized the importance of addressing this issue and outlined his policy proposal on a potential fix.
“We bailed out the banks, we should bail out our students,” said Mundy.
“Students are coming out of college: can’t purchase a house, can’t purchase a car, can’t get married.” Mundy’s proposed bill would focus on allowing students to write their loans off of their taxes and making federal loans interest-free. “If I’m able to get those two things to happen I have moved the earth for everybody who is in debt.”
Due to the difficulties posed by Strickland’s late cancellation, Wooster Democrats Treasurer Jordan Griffith said he was grateful the Wooster Democrats were able to, “get three great candidates to come speak at short notice.”
On Oct. 4, the Wooster Democrats hosted another event, the Wooster Local Candidates Forum. Both Spoonamore and Mundy made appearances at this event as well and were joined by candidates for County Commissioner David Kiefer and Rodney Mackey.
At this event, Wooster Democrat members moderated a question and answer session with each candidate. Cami Steckbeck moderated for Mackey and Kiefer, Sylvia Krebs ’19 moderated for Spoonamore and Griffith moderated for Mundy.
In-person absentee (early) voting is open from now until Election Day on Nov. 8. Wooster students who want to vote early should check the calendar at www.votewayne.org.
Shuttles will also be provided for students who need a ride to the Board of Elections to vote early on select days. For more information on this students can contact Janel England ’17 and Jordan Shusterman ’17 at JEngland17@wooster.edu or JShusterman17@wooster.edu.