Pitt Dems and Reps host candidate fair

Politicians running in the November midterm elections and their campaign representatives lined… Politicians running in the November midterm elections and their campaign representatives lined the first floor of Posvar Hall last night to take part in a candidates fair.

The Pitt College Democrats and Republicans sponsored the event to give students a chance to get to know the people running for office. About 100 students attended the fair total, with 10 or 20 present at any single time throughout the evening.

Andy Hamm, campaign coordinator for Pitt College Republicans, said he wanted the fair to happen because many of his friends didn’t know who was running in the election.

“Students need to strive to be better informed,” Hamm said. “The right to vote is out there and we need to respect it.”

Guests present included candidates and campaigns for Congress, governor and state representative with the Democrats, Republicans and the Green Party represented.

Most candidates, regardless of political ideology, agreed on one idea — that Pitt students should exercise their right to vote.

“So many [people] die fighting for the right to vote in other countries and people here take it for granted,” said Melissa Haluszczak, a Republican running for Congress in the 14th district, which includes Oakland and most of the rest of Pittsburgh.

Haluszczak attended the fair so that she could answer questions that students might have.

“Every election matters, and students don’t realize how much the government affects their everyday lives,” she said.

Susan Sestak, the wife of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak, also attended the fair. She said that every vote counts and that people should not have complacent attitudes about the way government is run.

“If you don’t vote, your right to complain is greatly weakened,” Sestak said.

Rick Saccone, a Republican running for state representative, said that many students are not adequately represented because they don’t vote.

“It’s your future, and you’re letting other people make decisions about it,” said Saccone, a Pitt alumnus.

Matthew DiFiore, business manager of Pitt College Democrats, said that even though students are not usually interested in politics, the fair provided them with a chance to meet the candidates, see who they are and what they believe.

Rachel Feinstein, president of Pitt College Republicans, said she wanted the event to be more like an activities fair, rather than students just watching debates.

The relaxed and informal atmosphere gave students the chance to go up to the candidates and have conversations with them.

Mike Doyle, the incumbent Congressman in the 14th district running, jumped at the chance to come to Pitt and energize young people to vote.

“So much is at stake in this election, and there are two different directions the government can take,” Doyle said. “Either the Democratic majority will stay or Republicans will take over. This election could significantly change the direction of government.”

He encouraged students to become aware of the issues, especially those that affect them directly, such as education and health care reform.

Sestak was also excited about taking this opportunity to reach out to students. She stressed the importance of education and health care as well, and urged students not to think that they don’t have to worry about these issues.

Many students who attended the fair said they were interested in finding out about the issues and the candidates themselves.

Derel Farmer wanted to learn about tuition reform and other issues that directly affect students.

“I want to be able to talk to the candidates directly and actually get a straight answer out of them,” Farmer said.

Other students that attended, such as Eric Langberg, were surprised to see some of the actual candidates present and not just their campaigns.

“I want to get to know the candidates before voting for them,” Langberg said.