In what has become somewhat common this election year, College Democrats sponsored another campus rally to bring support to the democratic candidates seeking voters at the Nov. 5 election.
Tuesday's rally was the second in as many days for College Democrats, which also sponsored a campus visit by New Mexico's First District Congressional candidate Richard Romero.
"The purpose was to get UNM students interested and involved in the candidates and the issues that affect their lives," said Lori Martinez, executive director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. "College students need to get involved and that was the purpose of today's event."
Speakers at yesterday's rally included lieutenant governor candidate Diane Denish, U.S. Senate nominee Gloria Tristani and current Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron.
"UNM is one of my favorite places. The students ask excellent questions on politics," Denish said. "It is important for UNM students to vote and reaching out to non-traditional and traditional students is important to the Democratic Party."
Denish, a UNM alumnus, has a daughter who attends UNM.
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"The University has a great deal of enthusiasm and it is important to see the difference of the two major parties in New Mexico," Denish said.
Also at the rally was Gloria Tristani, candidate for the U.S. Senate. Tristani, who is a former commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, resigned from her position in 2001 to run in this year's race.
"An issue of concern to the community, and myself, is to be more supportive of Pell Grants," said Gloria Tristani, a UNM School of Law alumnus. "One of the realities is that the cost of college education has gone up dramatically, which makes it difficult for lower or middle income families to attend post-secondary institutions."
Tristani said she supports the increasing of Pell Grants, a woman's right to choose, preservation of Civil Liberties and a federal hate-crime bill.
Tristani said her incumbent opponent, Pete Domenici, has voted against increasing minimum wage and a federal hate-crime bill. Tristani said Domenici also has one of Congress' worst environmental records.
Denish is running with Bill Richardson, former ambassador to the United Nations. Tristani is seeking to oust Sen. Pete Domenici, who has been a member of the Senate since 1972, and Denish will be running against Walter Bradley, who has been the lieutenant governor for the past eight years.
Also at the rally were members of the College Republicans. They campaigned for various Republican candidates alongside Democrat supporters.
Displaying signs for Heather Wilson (R-NM) and John Sanchez, candidate for governor, College Republicans attempted to draw some of the attention away from Democratic candidates to their party.
