Governor's race vital for students

By Jeff Christian
The Collegian

With less than two weeks before Election Day, voters will decide between a former state treasurer or a sitting governor and movie star.

Republican incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic challenger Phil Angelides are campaigning on issues that will have a significant impact on the future of California.

Despite traditionally low turnout numbers for voters between the ages of 18 and 23, tuition fees and higher education funding are at the forefront of the campaign issues for Fresno State students during this election season.

Nick Papas, a spokesman for the Angelides campaign, believes this gubernatorial election is vital for the future of college-aged voters.

“There is a stark difference between these two candidates for college students. Schwarzenegger has raised fees and made it more difficult for students and Angelides wants to cut tuition fees,” Papas said.

If elected, Angelides plans to increase funding for preschool and K-12 schools to help close the education gap.

Angelides has also proposed creating middle class and small business tax cuts to ease the burden of working families and increase their access to higher education and health care.

“We have been campaigning up and down California to talk about issues that are important for all voters. We’ve visited college campuses and the California College Democrats have been dedicated workers and volunteers,” Papas said.

According to Schwarzenegger Press Secretary Amanda Fulkerson, the governor has embarked on a campaign trail during this election season that has attempted to reach out to younger voters.

“The governor has been crisscrossing the state trying to reach out to everyone. He went on a college tour and voters can even sign up to receive text messages about the governor’s platform,” Fulkerson said.

Fulkerson believes Governor Schwarzenegger will continue to strengthen the state’s economy and future.

The governor proposed a $10.8 billion bipartisan education bond that was placed on the election ballot. The bond would provide funds for K-12 education, as well as funds for the UC, CSU and community college systems. The governor’s platform also focuses on balancing the budget, protecting the environment and supporting job growth by not raising taxes.

“You want someone who is going to create opportunities for you. Someone who will create jobs, places to learn, and is interested in education and opportunities. The governor is that candidate,” Fulkerson said.

Higher education, especially funding and tuition prices for the CSU system, is one of the key topics for Fresno State students casting their ballots in the November election.

Some Fresno State students can still remember the tuition fee increases and funding cuts for CSU colleges during the state budget crisis and Schwarzenegger’s entrance into office.

Junior Gareth Davis describes himself as a party-line voter, but still believes that education funding is one of the most important issues on the agenda.

“I don’t think that tuition at Fresno State is high compared to other universities but education will be an important issue,” Davis said.

Freshman Yesenia Frias is concerned more with the number of students that are being admitted and believes that admission restrictions are more important than tuition fees.

Freshman Linda Hanoumane said, “Schwarzenegger has done a pretty good job and I don’t think that he will raise tuition fees.”

Currently, most poll numbers indicate a comfortable lead for Schwarzenegger. According to Rasmussen Reports, Schwarzenegger has a nine percent lead in a poll conducted earlier in the month of 500 likely voters.

The total was two percentage points higher than Schwarzenegger had been polling a month earlier and the nine percentage points marked his biggest lead of the election.

Fresno State political science professor David Schecter said Schwarzenegger turned support for his reelection around after his ballot initiatives were defeated last November.

“He apologized and admitted that the ballot initiatives were a mistake and then this year he worked with the Democrats in the legislature and passed a budget on time. That gave him a lot of credibility,” Schecter said.

Schwarzenegger has also benefited from attack ads and an Angelides campaign that has struggled since defeating Steve Westly in a highly contested and divisive primary.

“The bloodbath from the June primary didn’t help him with fundraising or to attract voters,” Schecter said.

Angelides also had to combat the Schwarzenegger campaign fundraising machine. Since July, Schwarzenegger has raised and outspent Angelides nearly two to one. During that time, Angelides has raised about $8 million compared to Schwarzenegger’s $12.8 million.

“He’s basically mimicked Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger came into office promising to eliminate special interest and now he has surpassed Gray Davis in special interest money and he has the financial wherewithal to give himself more money,” Schecter said.

Angelides has been unable to tie Schwarzenegger to support of President Bush. Unlike many other Republican candidates throughout the country, Schwarzenegger has effectively distanced himself from the White House and its low approval ratings.

Schwarzenegger has also benefited from receiving the endorsement of most of the major state newspapers, including typically Democratic-leaning editorial boards such as the San Francisco Chronicle.

“For the first time that I can remember, a candidate has received the endorsement of every major newspaper in the state,” Schecter said.

If history is any indication, then the governor could be headed for an additional four-year term in office.
“Every sitting governor has won since 1942. Californians seem to like their governors and are willing to give them second chances,” Schecter said.

”I think Angelides is learning the same lesson as Gray Davis,” Schecter said. “It’s very hard to run against a superstar.”

Voters will make their decision clear on Nov. 7 when they cast their ballots. If the poll numbers are correct, Angelides has some ground to make up, but the political landscape can change overnight.

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