There are many stops on the Michigan gubernatorial campaign trail, but MSU offers the possibility of gaining 45,000 supporters.
With frequent stops at MSU throughout the year, Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and Attorney General Jennifer Granholm have tried to capture the attention of an age group notoriously known for not voting.
The drive to MSU is something familiar to Posthumus - he has a bachelor’s degree from MSU in public affairs management and two of his children also are graduates.
Posthumus said he’s been to campus at least six times in the last two months, including Homecoming weekend.
“What we decided to do very early is to have the most aggressive student outreach program for any candidate,” he said.
Since the beginning of MSU’s fall semester, Granholm has been appearing on campuses statewide and has visited the home of the Spartans at least twice.
The graduate of University of California, Berkeley and Harvard University Law School maintains education and families are her top priorities, making it essential to visit college campuses.
Granholm says college students have the power and number to determine the election’s outcome.
“Students are the army in this election,” she said. “They need to get into the streets. They need to get out there and vote.”
There are many issues, such as the environment, that students care about and can have a say in via voting, Granholm said.
“There are so many tangible things in this election that affect students,” she said. “All that makes it important for them to get out and vote.”
Posthumus says the main concern for students is obtaining jobs after graduation and he said his experience in the Michigan Legislature will sway MSU students to vote for him.
Although he enjoyed attending several MSU football games - despite the losses - he said he liked delivering speeches because he connected to different types of students.
“Most candidates kind of take them for granted,” he said of student votes. “I believe they’re going to be the difference. That’s why I’ve spent so much time at it.”
Posthumus recognizes student turnout at the polls is sometimes low, but didn’t see that as an excuse to ignore MSU.
“I’d say it’s frustrating, but I don’t blame this generation,” he said. “When my generation was this age they voted low. It’s been true for a long time, but I think there’s a lot of groups of students that want to make a difference. If candidates did what our campaign did we can actually help the turnout.”
Ryan Farrell, a James Madison freshman who attended a Democratic rally with Granholm and former Vice President Al Gore on Oct. 28, said he generally votes Republican.
“I have supported the Republican Party in the past, but I feel like the Democratic candidates have reached out to the students better,” he said.
Granholm said she hopes students vote and realize that every vote counts.
The future of higher education is dependent on this election, she said. To lower costs for students who wish to attend college, Granholm said it’s necessary to elect members from a party whose main interest is unity. That party, Granholm said, is the Democratic Party.
“No citizen is average or little, but many of us have felt belittled by the current administration,” she said. “We need a party that values all citizens.”
Katie Farr, an accounting junior, labels herself as undecided voter.
“I’m kind of in between,” she said. “I’m more of a Democrat. I like Jennifer Granholm’s issues more, but I’d rather go for Posthumus’ experience.”
Although Democrats have generally dominated MSU precincts when students decide to vote, Posthumus says he has several things going for him.
“I’m a Spartan. It’s very different from coming from the University of California and being a Golden Bear,” he said. “Having kids that are college-aged, I relate very well to what they’re going through.”
Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, said Posthumus’ ties with MSU might bring more students to the polls to support him than he would receive as a Republican with no ties to MSU. If elected, Posthumus would be the third straight governor with a degree from MSU.
“I think he obviously feels a great loyalty to the institution,” Ballenger said. “He loves Michigan State. He’s trying to remind the students of that when he comes and he’s hoping to energize his base on the campus.”
But, Ballenger says, if the MSU turnout follows what it has been in the past, his trips may have been in vain.
The Alto Republican also has been using a resource very close to him - his youngest daughter Heather, 20, who has visited about 20 campuses. She’s been to MSU several times.
“She took the entire term off to work with local Students for Posthumus groups, including the one we have at Michigan State,” Posthumus said.
Heather Posthumus, a sophomore at Monroe Community College, said she thinks students have been left behind and often don’t know about important issues because candidates don’t reach out to them.
She says this is one of the most important election seasons in a long time for college students.
“The next four years are going to be hugely impacted by this race.”
Heather attended an anti-abortion rally on Oct. 5 at the rock on Farm Lane and was heckled by protesters but went along with her speech.
“It’s been very intense,” she said. “I was never really involved with my dad’s things. I pretty much just worried about school, sports and taking care of our animals until about four months ago.”
Jessica Backofen, a communication sophomore, said she’s voting for Granholm, mostly because of her pro-choice views.
“Not many candidates are pro-choice and open about it,” she said. “I really respect her for her decision to be forthcoming with her views.”
Backofen said Granholm made a effort to appeal to students and make them realize their votes count.
“She’s a lot friendlier and more personable to the younger generation than Posthumus,” she said. “A lot of students are independent voters and he’s running on a party platform, which I don’t like.”
Luke Oskvarek said he doesn’t think any candidates for statewide office have exerted themselves to gain student votes. Nevertheless, the English senior said if he heads to the polls on Nov. 5, he will be voting Republican.
“I would probably side with Posthumus,” he said. “I’ve met him before and he seemed like a sincere guy.”
