Spring Break
11 district congressional candidates to debate at ISU
Matthew Tomlin, Daily Vidette Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
The three candidates competing for the 11 district Congressional seat, Democrat Debbie Halvorson, Republican Marty Ozinga and Jason Wallace of the Green Party, will debate at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.
"We're in one of the most important congressional races in the country right now," Katie Boundy, president of College Democrats, said. "This will be a fantastic opportunity for students to come meet the candidates."
The "Trust Me, I'm A Voter" campaign organized the debate, along with co-sponsorships from Illinois State University, Heartland Community College and WJBC radio station.
"The willingness was there," Andrew Mathews, a coordinator for the "Trust Me" campaign, and advisor in the School of Communication, said. "It was just a matter of setting the date."
"Bloomington-Normal has been somewhat ignored in the past," he added. "This is really a huge step for us in that all the speak. As much as they have been willing to reach out to us, I think it's really important that we show up and reach out to them."
Mathews will be moderating the debate, along with Paul Folger from Heartland Community College and Beth Whisman from WJBC radio station. Mathews is taking input from students concerning the questions he will be asking, but said issues such as foreign policy, the economy and higher education funding will be discussed.
"This seat is seen as a real toss up," he said. "Of the 435 districts, this district is ranked among the top five."
The incumbent of the 11 district, U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, announced his retirement in September 2007, leaving the seat open for competition.
Jason Wallace, a Normal native, was the first to announce his candidacy on Sept. 12, 2007 on the campus of Illinois State, where he graduated last May. He is an Iraq war veteran with a platform for sustainable energy, more education funding and better care for veterans, as well as restoring civil liberties. His campaign has been largely a grassroots movement, shying away from special interest and corporate donations.
Democrat Debbie Halvorson has served as a senator from the 40 district since 1997. In 2005, Halvorson was appointed Majority Leader, becoming the first woman in Illinois to hold that position. She continues to be an advocate for education, healthcare, senior citizens and labor organizations. Halvorson holds a master's degree in communications and training from Governors State University and currently lives with her husband in Crete, Illinois.
Republican Marty Ozinga was the last candidate to enter the race, acting as a replacement for Mayor Tim Balderman, who left the race soon after winning the primary on Feb. 5. Since 1985, Ozinga has been president of Ozinga Bros., the nation's biggest family-owned concrete company, which employs approximately 1,200 people. He has served on four different school boards and lives with his wife in Homer Glen, Illinois.
"We're in one of the most important congressional races in the country right now," Katie Boundy, president of College Democrats, said. "This will be a fantastic opportunity for students to come meet the candidates."
The "Trust Me, I'm A Voter" campaign organized the debate, along with co-sponsorships from Illinois State University, Heartland Community College and WJBC radio station.
"The willingness was there," Andrew Mathews, a coordinator for the "Trust Me" campaign, and advisor in the School of Communication, said. "It was just a matter of setting the date."
"Bloomington-Normal has been somewhat ignored in the past," he added. "This is really a huge step for us in that all the speak. As much as they have been willing to reach out to us, I think it's really important that we show up and reach out to them."
Mathews will be moderating the debate, along with Paul Folger from Heartland Community College and Beth Whisman from WJBC radio station. Mathews is taking input from students concerning the questions he will be asking, but said issues such as foreign policy, the economy and higher education funding will be discussed.
"This seat is seen as a real toss up," he said. "Of the 435 districts, this district is ranked among the top five."
The incumbent of the 11 district, U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller, announced his retirement in September 2007, leaving the seat open for competition.
Jason Wallace, a Normal native, was the first to announce his candidacy on Sept. 12, 2007 on the campus of Illinois State, where he graduated last May. He is an Iraq war veteran with a platform for sustainable energy, more education funding and better care for veterans, as well as restoring civil liberties. His campaign has been largely a grassroots movement, shying away from special interest and corporate donations.
Democrat Debbie Halvorson has served as a senator from the 40 district since 1997. In 2005, Halvorson was appointed Majority Leader, becoming the first woman in Illinois to hold that position. She continues to be an advocate for education, healthcare, senior citizens and labor organizations. Halvorson holds a master's degree in communications and training from Governors State University and currently lives with her husband in Crete, Illinois.
Republican Marty Ozinga was the last candidate to enter the race, acting as a replacement for Mayor Tim Balderman, who left the race soon after winning the primary on Feb. 5. Since 1985, Ozinga has been president of Ozinga Bros., the nation's biggest family-owned concrete company, which employs approximately 1,200 people. He has served on four different school boards and lives with his wife in Homer Glen, Illinois.
Be the first to comment on this story