By Ricky Talbot
Republican Douglas Dightman is running for the first time, in opposition to Kilmer’s fourth consecutive term as Washingon’s 6th District representative.
Entering the race about six months ago, Dr. Dightman said, “I’m as qualified to do this job as most of the people…sitting in this hall today; concerned citizens, that have opinions that are willing to share their opinions with other people and go represent people. My biggest concern about our… system in Washington… is that we don’t get represented as people… that’s one of the things I’m trying to do, is go set an example.”
During the debate in the campus Little Theater, candidates answered questions relating to healthcare, college tuition, bipartisanship, immigration, and climate change. After opening statements, the floor was opened to citizens and students to ask about the issues surrounding this year’s election.
Peninsula College students asked questions about imbalance of women’s business opportunities, climate change, pollution, and free education for college students.
“Will you, or will you not, support initiatives to guarantee a free public four year college education as a right to all americans?” asked Associated Student Council Vice President, David Harvey.
Dightman said, “absolutely not… community colleges have a very high drop out rate… if we pay for everybody to go to school, it’s not going to mean enough to some of the people who are going into school. You have to earn it…”
Kilmer replied, “Not everyone is gonna go to college. There is some value in providing that door of opportunity to more people… I couldn’t have gone to college if it hadn’t been for financial aid… I think the focus should be on middle class and poorer families and providing them with more resources to be able to afford college.”
Although both candidates used grants or loans to get through college, they disagree on where the government should go from here.
McKenna Bell Duffy, PC student said, “I am super glad I came to the forum. I feel as though I was given the opportunity to learn a lot about the priorities of my representatives, based on their answers to citizen’s questions; much more than I would have been able to understand, just based on the voters guide, alone… The voters guide gave little to no information compared to what I learned here tonight, and I thought it was a completely worthwhile event…
I really hope that we’re able to continue putting on events like this before each election so that we can promote to students how important it is for the youth vote,” she said after the coforum.
If you missed the debate, it’s not too late to catch it for yourself. The League of Women Voters, said the recording of the debate will be available on their website. For more information on voting issues and where candidates stand, go to vote411.org