Collegiate Times

As Labor Day weekend fades into the rear view mirror, the Virginia gubernatorial race is kicking into high gear.

The two front-running candidates are Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee hailing from Bath County, and Bob McDonnell, the Republican nominee hailing from Fairfax.

Mike Gehrke, Deeds' director of communication, said he is pushing the plan for economic development he spoke about at a Democratic primary debate in Blacksburg in April.

"Most of Deeds' stances have remained the same since the debate," Gehrke said. "He is still looking to build the economy long term with a strong focus on higher education."

Deeds' plan would aim for 70,000 degrees earned in 10 years and additional financial help for students looking to go forward with careers in education. Students looking to go into education would be offered state-funded support if they plan to enter the fields of math or science.

McDonnell has a similar plan in relation to reforming higher education in Virginia.

He is calling for 100,000 four-year degrees over the course of the next 15 years, along with an increase in the number of students graduating with degrees in high-income, high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering and math.

Deeds is particularly focused on the economy of underdeveloped portions of Virginia.

"Deeds believes that it is important for every part of the Commonwealth to participate in economic growth," Gehrke said. "He just completed an 11 day swing through rural Virginia." 

Student political groups have also started to step up campaign activities. The Young Democrats and the College Republicans began preparing for the gubernatorial race.

"We're going to be knocking on doors and making phone calls, we're just trying to inform people about our candidate," said Kathleen Newbould, president of the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech. "We don't currently have an office in Blacksburg, but we have a great office in Radford."

The College Republicans operate from their office downtown, on Draper Road next to She-Sha Caf & Hookah Bar.

"(The College Republicans) have been very active in general in the community," said Judi Lynch, the advisor for the College Republicans.

"They have been keeping up with training programs and have been making phone calls and getting themselves out there."

The groups will be canvassing Montgomery County encouraging voters to become aware of the candidates' policies, as well as voter registration deadlines.

"We are very excited about this election," said Carlin Crowder, chairman of the College Republicans. "The polls are showing that Bob is very well liked by Virginia voters, and I think students will like him as well. We have been involved in the normal recruiting efforts, but we are also on campus. We are participating with the SGA in their voter registration drive."

McDonnell currently leads in Virginia's polls by Public Policy Polling, but his lead shrunk following the introduction of his master's thesis from when he was a 34-year-old grad student.

The Young Democrats are looking to bring their candidates to campus in an attempt to grasp the attention of young voters.

"We have Deeds coming for Homecoming and we are working with SGA to have a speaker series with all of the candidates running for office," Newbould said. "The governor's race is really big, but we want people to really know about our candidate."

The College Republicans are looking to collaborate with multiple groups on campus, including the political science club.

"We're hoping to collaborate with the political science club for their Great Debate," Crowder said. "We were involved last year and it was really great. Last year it got a lot of really awesome dialogue going."

The lines between the two branches on campus have become slightly blurred as they collaborate in campus events to bring students into the political realm.  

"What's important to us more than anything is that students are engaged in the political process," Crowder said. "Whether that is as a Republican or a Democrat."