Final candidate check-in

With five more days to campaign, here’s a quick refresher on the important candidates and what they’ve been up to. Vote at banweb.pdx.edu.

Collin LaVallee, presidential candidate
In order to get out the vote, LaVallee and his running mate, Christopher Proudfoot, have been focusing on talking to as many as people as possible.

“[April 30] we had an event in the Park Blocks—we had a band play and talked to a lot of people,” LaVallee said. “We’ve been making calls to people we know, everyone.”

LaVallee is concerned about low voter turnout. He wants to ensure that “there are accessible polling places … we can’t be around them but we can make sure others are. It might be a rainy week and the rain might hurt [voter turnout].”

Overall, LaVallee wants to make sure that students actually vote.

They have been getting a lot of positive feedback, and no matter what happens with the election, LaVallee said he and Proudfoot will still be involved in student government next year in some way.

Jonathan Sanford, presidential candidate
Sanford was hesitant to reveal how he and running mate Rebekah Chitsaz will be corralling voters in the last few days.

“We have a plan, but I’m trying not to divulge my full plan,” Sanford said.

Sanford did say that they plan to “utilize ASPSU T-shirts as much as possible,” as well as making the most of an “online presence … communicating with each individual.”

“We’ve been talking to student groups,” Sanford said.

Sanford does not believe that historically low voter turnout is due to apathy, but instead a lack of information.
“Low turnout is very sad. It takes away the legitimacy of [the process],” Sanford said.

Sanford also voiced concern for Oregon’s returning veterans, most of whom are unemployed, thus they are turning to higher education.

“[PSU’s] facilities are not ready,” Sanford said.

Sean Staub, presidential candidate
Staub’s campaign has been trying to get out the vote by establishing a presence in the Park Blocks.

“We have been tabling and we’ll continue to, weather permitting. Otherwise we’ll find alternate ways,” Staub said.
Staub and running mate Kyle Juedes’ focus has been reaching out to people who don’t usually vote.

“Our campaign is about reaching out to all students, not just large groups as it seems other campaigns are focusing on,” Staub said.

Overall, Staub says he is “running to represent the interests of the average student—making it clear where the money from student fees is going.”

Also, Staub and Juedes hope to “actualize PSU’s commitment to sustainability,” Staub said.

Jil Heimensen, SFC chair candidate
Heimensen says she has “invested lots of time” reaching out to students.

“I’ve put work toward people seeing what they should be expecting … showing specifics,” Heimensen said.
She also cited a “Deliverables” posting on her www.psusfc.com Web site.

Along with the Web site, Heimensen has used Twitter to campaign, yet said she has “no idea” where she stands and how the campaign is going.

“[The current administration] has done a lot of great things, but there’s room for improvement,” Heimensen said.

She believes students stand to benefit from her business experience and what she brings to the table.

Johnnie Ozimkowski, SFC chair candidate
To reach out to voters, Ozimkowski has been “getting a lot of people involved … talking to a lot of different people.”

Ozimkowski would like to see more attention out for the election in order to “get people excited and invigorated.” He would also like to see the SFC take a more detached, outside role.

“The SFC has been coupled with the executive branch. You can’t be viewpoint neutral when you’re so closely associated,” Ozimkowski said.

“It’s been an interesting race,” Ozimkowski said, adding that he does not have a gauge on where he stands in the election. “I don’t know … it’s Portland State. It’s a dynamic campus, unorthodox,” he added.

“Tuition is going to increase. … We can’t let students be pricing each other out of education,” Ozimkowski said