College Republicans, Democrats work to educate campus on respective candidates

Michelle Shamaly, vice president of the College Democrats, said the group is thrilled with Bernero’s victory in the primary.

“He was my choice for the primary and we were one of the first college democrat chapters to endorse him back in April,” the Mount Pleasant junior said. “I like that he is for the working and the middle class. He’s making sure that Michigan workers come first.”

Brad O’Donnell, president of College Democrats, said the organization has set up a three step plan to help the Bernero campaign.

During September, the Clinton Township senior said the group will do student voting registration for anyone wishing to vote. O’Donnell said October will be devoted to voter persuasion and encouraging students to vote for Bernero if their beliefs match up with his. November is all about getting people out to vote.

“As far as I can tell everyone is really excited about Virg,” O’Donnell said. “He’s a great candidate. Everyone who comes and wants to volunteer essentially came because of him. If you ask, College Democrats will be more than happy to put you to work.”

Travis Faber, first vice chairman of College Republicans, said at the end of the day the organization will try to contact as many potential voters as possible to talk to them about Snyder and his message.

The Battle Creek senior said some of the methods they use will include phone calls and going door to door to represent Snyder.

“Rick Snyder is a fantastic candidate and is going to make a fantastic governor,” Faber said. “We want to help him any way he can. At the end of the day his message is he wants to create jobs in Michigan, and with his experience in the business world he knows how to do it.”

Mount Pleasant freshman Ken DeLorenzo, a College Republicans member, said he thinks Snyder will make Michigan more business friendly and allow more people to be hired.

DeLorenzo said while he hasn’t had time to volunteer to help the campaign yet, it’s something he definitely wants to get involved in.

“Eventually I would like to volunteer, if not for Rick Snyder’s campaign then for some of our representatives and really just help the Republican Party’s candidates in general,” DeLorenzo said.