As most of you probably know or at least hopefully you know, we have to vote for a new President next year. With that being said this year will consist of drawn out debates, erratic polls and the long awaited primary elections. College students often find themselves in the midst of the Presidential Primary campaigns wondering, “who do I vote for?”
Between classes, papers and exams it can be hard to find the time to watch a three-hour debate or even research candidates. Some recognizable candidates have already established themselves all over social media while others not known as well are flying below the radar.
Here is a line up of some of the top candidates and some that are not as well known, their basic facts, headliner goals and views on mainstream issues.
Ted Cruz (US Senator) (Texas) (R)
Hometown: Houston T.X. but born in Calgary Canada
Early Career: Law Clerk
Headliner Goals: Tax Reform (creating simple “postcard” flat tax). Regulatory Reform which is to stop regulations that hinder small businesses from growing and creating jobs. Repealing Obamacare.
Stance on Education and student loan debt: No policy in place but having paid off his loans just 5 or 6 years ago, Ted Cruz knows first hand about student debt. Economic growth is his solution, where small businesses are growing and creating more jobs so students can intern pay off their loans.
Right to Choose: Pro life
Fun Fact: Was not actually born in the United states!
Bernie Sanders (US Senator) (Vermont) (D)
Hometown: Burlington V.T.
Early Career: Mayor for the city of Burlington V.T. for 8 years.
Headliner Goals: Pass legislation to initiate free tuition at Public Universities and Colleges. Raise minimum wage.
Stance on Education and student loan debt: Has proposed legislation through congress that does three things 1. Creates free tuition at Public Colleges and Universities 2. Allows students to refinance their current loans for lower interest rates 3. Removes the government from the position of profiting from loan interest rates.
Right to Choose: Pro choice
Fun Fact: Self identifies as a Socialist.
Carly Fiorina (Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard) (R)
Hometown: Austin T.X.
Early Career: Began her career as a secretary at a small real estate firm after dropping out of law school. Worked her way up to become CEO at HP.
Headliner Goals: to bring a new approach to office, she is always emphasizing her unique background outside of politics.
Stance on Education and student loan Debt: No policy in the making but indicates that she believes in developing great teachers to teach the youth of America skills such as innovation and entrepreneurship. However, she has not made any political statements about her standing position on student loan debt.
Right to Choose: Pro life
Fun Fact: First woman to lead a fortune 500 company.
Hillary Clinton (Former US Secretary of State) (D)
Hometown: Chicago I.L.
Early Career: First lady during Bill Clinton’s Presidency.
Headliner Goals: Address student loan debt. Making College affordable. End Campus Assault.
Stance on Education and student loan Debt: Plans to propose that we refinance the student loans that are already held by people and make college itself more affordable. She also supports making Community College for 2 years free for the public.
Right to Choose: Pro Choice.
Fun Fact: Was previously a republican before switching parties in 1968.
Donald Trump (Chairman and President of The Donald Trump Organization) (R)
Hometown: Queens N.Y.
Early Career: NY real estate developer.
Headliner goals: Tax reform. Second amendment rights. Immigration reform
Stance on Education and student loan Debt: Has no specific policy positions or any detailed plan for addressing student debt or the costs of Higher Education. However, he has acknowledged the large amounts of student debt in America and his criticism toward the federal government for “profiting off of student borrowers”.
Right to Choose: This view of his is not entirely clear but as of 2015 he indicates he has “officially” swayed from pro-choice to pro-life.
Fun Fact: If elected President, he plans to construct a “HUGE” wall along the border of the United States and Mexico.
Lincoln Chafee (Former RI governor) (D)
Hometown: Warwick R.I.
Early Career: First elected to public office in 1985 as a Delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention.
Headliner goals: Increasing minimum wage. Prosperity through Peace; basically, working with the United Nations to put in place international agreements that reduce foreign tensions. Immigration Reform.
Stance on education and student loan debt– Make College more affordable by increasing Pell grants and reducing interest on college loans.
Right to Choose: Pro choice
Fun Fact: Was previously a Republican turned Independent and today a Democrat.
As college students and young people, we comprise a mass amount of potential voters. We have the power to become educated and make our informed votes count!