As Maine gears up for the Nov. 3 midterm elections, student political organizations at the University of Maine are sharing their perspectives on candidates and issues affecting students. Representatives from the UMaine Progressives and UMaine College Republicans discussed their organizations’ priorities, the rising cost of living and factors they believe will influence college-aged voters.
Maeve Durkee, president of the UMaine Progressives, highlighted the candidates her organization supports.
“We’re most supportive of candidates in our local races. Mike Tipping is our incumbent State Senator and has been a real champion of students as a legislator. We also focus on races that the student vote might be important in deciding. We support Matt Dunlap, who is running for the open congressional seat in CD2 [Maine’s second congressional district], and Troy Jackson, who is running to unseat Susan Collins in the Senate. If candidates like them take control of the federal legislature, policies that would benefit students and young people are more likely to make it through Congress,” said Durkee.
Sofia Pride, vice president of the UMaine College Republicans, discussed the issues she believes are most important to students.
“I think in terms of college students, it goes two different ways. I think the correct answer is being able to find a job in the future and being able to afford living here, buying a house, gas prices and all of those things. But in reality, I think what more people care about is the social aspect of politics,” said Pride.
Durkee also identified affordability as a major concern for college students.
“I think issues of affordability are most important to Mainers, especially young people and students. Most young people I know are worried about their ability to get a stable job after graduation, and they’re worried about whether they’ll be able to pay off their student loans,” said Durkee.
Representatives from both organizations also discussed factors they believe students should consider when evaluating candidates.
“I think college students who are unsure of which candidates to vote for should look at who is funding politicians’ campaigns. We don’t deserve leaders bought by out-of-state business interests,” said Durkee.
“I think the emotional aspect of politics really does sway voters our age because we are so young, and we don’t have as much experience in life. So seeing what values a politician has means a lot more to people our age,” said Pride.
Each organization also addressed how the candidates they support, if elected, will handle issues UMaine students may care about.
“Progressive legislators in the Maine State House can make life better for students by making sure the UMaine system is fully funded, and that the cost of living in Maine is reduced. On the federal level, policies like Medicare for All, student debt relief and ending the war in Iran would make Mainers’ lives easier,” said Durkee.
“Senator Collins has been able to bring more money to the state and provide more networking and support for the state than Troy has. And some might argue, obviously, that being in a federal position like that, it would make sense that she’s able to do that, and if Troy was in a federal position, he also would. But I think it’s very showing that he always would have a hard time getting his own legislation passed within the state,” said Pride.
