Students and local residents filled the Mackinaw Room in the Bovee University Center on Saturday to hear Sen. Debbie Stabenow, (D-MI), endorse Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Stabenow's appearance was made possible by the Hillary for America organization, with the goal to encourage attendees to support Clinton in the upcoming presidential election. Students could register to vote at the event and were encouraged to vote Democratic this November.

The goal was outlined in a press statement from Mitchell Rivard, communications director for Hillary for Michigan.

"(The) event is part of a statewide effort to make sure students are registered to vote ahead of the Oct. 11 deadline, and highlight how Clinton's agenda would support students, including her plans to make college debt-free for all Americans," he said. "This event builds on the Clinton campaign's nationwide effort to register and commit more than 3 million voters to be a part of this campaign."

Stabenow spoke at length about her respect for Clinton’s credentials and her experience in the field of American politics, which she said is unmatched.

“There is no one who has seen this job from every angle like she has,” she said. “There’s nobody who’s in a better position to be able to walk in, keep us safe and continue the economic recovery.”

Stabenow spent a portion of her talk criticizing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his party's policies.

“The truth of the matter is what’s at stake in this election is everything about who we are as Americans,” Stabenow said. “We cannot have Trump as our president. I'm here because I support Hillary and know she will be extraordinary.”

After Stabenow finished speaking, attendees were given permission to ask questions. Gladwin attorney Scott Moore shared his experiences about the importance of being an involved voter.

Moore brought his 15-year-old daughter, Nikita, so she could learn from the experience.

“When I was a student, I was registered in my college town. When I graduated, (I) left without getting my absentee ballot to vote in my hometown of Adrian. That had consequences (I'm) still paying for today,” he said. “What students do here today will make a difference. You will be defending the (country) in ways you can’t even imagine.”

Also in attendance were sophomore Caroline Murray and St. Johns junior Matthew Boak. A senator for the Student Government Association, Murray was attracted to the event by the prospect of meeting Stabenow.

“We were very excited when we heard Sen. Stabenow was going to be here,” she said. "She’s kind of a role model in our lives. She’s where I want to be some day, especially as a woman.”

Murray and Boak decided to attend after hearing about the event from some friends within CMU’s Organization of Women Leaders.

“I love what she’s done for Michigan overall, as far as representing us in the Senate, and coming to CMU just to speak with us,” Boak said. “She had a lot of great and interesting things to say about Hillary and Trump, and the current state of politics in the nation.”