Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm spoke to a packed room of students Tuesday night as she made her first campaign appearance on MSU’s campus.
Granholm, a candidate for Michigan’s 2002 gubernatorial election, was invited to speak to the MSU Democrats at its regular weekly meeting.
“It is college students and young people who have played enormous roles in changing our country’s history with respect to presidential elections,” Granholm said. “They can have enormous impact.”
Granholm, who talked to the group in Case Hall, said speaking to campus groups is an important part of her campaign.
“I love being around people who can make it happen,” she said. “I would much rather be here than anywhere else.”
Granholm discussed voting issues, partisanship, education, trade and affirmative action during her conversation with students.
The MSU Democrats have invited all of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates to speak.
Granholm, along with former Gov. James Blanchard, U.S. Rep. David Bonior and state Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith, will seek the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 6 primary election.
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, state Sen. John Schwarz and Troy businessman Ed Hamilton will vie for the Republican nomination in August’s primary.
Nate Engle, vice president of the MSU Democrats, said the organization does not endorse a candidate during a primary, but will support whoever the party nominates to run for the seat.
“We’re looking forward to having a Democratic governor,” the urban and regional planning junior said. “I think people are sick and tired of 12 years of John Engler and what he represents.
“Obviously, in an election year, it’s very exciting.”
Jason Ahrens, chairman of the MSU College Republicans, said his organization is working on inviting the Republican candidates to speak.
“We’re trying to get the lieutenant governor right now,” the food industry management senior said.
Ahrens said he sees Posthumus as the Republican front-runner for August’s election.
“He’s proven that he can handle the task of being governor,” Ahrens said. “He has a lot of great ideas, particularly to help college students.”
Evie Zois, an international relations and sociology senior, said she doesn’t associate herself with any political party, but attended the meeting with Granholm to gain a better understanding of the candidate’s views.
“I definitely feel the way polls are going that Granholm’s a forerunner for a gubernatorial position,” Zois said. “I’d like to see what she has to say.
“It looks really positive on their part to appeal to a younger vote, even though they know the majority of their votes are going to come from an older audience.”
