Student Republicans rally during election year

As elections near, two candidates that stand on opposite sides of almost every controversial topic continue to battle for votes across the nation. At Arkansas State University, two groups that stand behind each candidate have a very important job ahead of them in the upcoming weeks. One of these groups is the College Republicans, led by President Deane Marks, a junior Economics and Pre-Law major of De Witt.

Marks, along with Vice President Shelby Walker, Secretary Tess Wheetley and Treasurer Lisha Earheart will lead the College Republicans on campus this upcoming election season. The group as of now stands at around 75 members.

“Our first goal is to increase political awareness at ASU, also to promote conservative values and ideals to students and to help local candidates reach office,” Marks said.

Wheetley said she had similar goals for the group.

“I want our group to get more students involved on campus, last year there was only six or seven of us, this year we want to expand more and start educating people about the Republican Party,” Wheetley, a junior psychology major of Advance, Mo., said.

“Students should vote, because if no one votes we are not making much use of the government we have,” Wheetley said. “Students should vote because they are the future. We need to educate ourselves about the people that will affect us in the future.”

“Our organization is committed to working hard for all Republicans seeking office in NEA,” Marks said. “To do that, the group plans to go door to door and hold tailgating parties to show support for local Republican candidates.  
Along with volunteer work for local candidates, the group also plans to have voter registration drives on campus this October to ensure there are as many ASU voters as possible this election year.

Even though no one in the group was able to attend the Republican National Convention held in Florida recently, the group plans to stand behind their nominee in the following weeks and show full support.

They also want to focus heavily on state and local affairs, such as electing local candidates into office and getting members to head to the Republican Campaign Headquarters (also known as the Victory Office) located on Southwest Drive. On campus, the group wants to hold at least two more voter registrations by Oct 6th.

    According to group members, anyone interested in joining the College Republicans at ASU can follow their twitter page (@stAteCR), message Marks or Wheetley at eric.marks@smail.astate.edu and tess.wheetley@smail.astate.edu or head to their next meeting Sept. 19 in the St. Francis River Room of the Student Union and every other Wednesday following.