With early voting already underway and election day on Nov. 8 right around the corner, here's what the candidates for governor have planned for college-aged students and those seeking higher education.
Katie Hobbs, the Democratic candidate, has committed to making the conversation of bringing sustainable, well-paid jobs, come back to education. Of the over 7 million people who reside in Arizona, 32.4% have received a bachelor’s degree or higher in the state. Hobbs would like to expand the post-secondary educational opportunities that are available to students.
Hobbs' first priority would be to fill the fields with critical shortages such as nursing and qualified classroom educators. Hobbs would also launch a task force to coordinate an effort to work with business and workforce leaders to identify their needs now as well as five to 10 years down the line.
"College students need to vote for Katie Hobbs because she’s actually representing our views," said Abigail Axelson, a freshman studying business law.
The Democratic candidate is pushing to expand education into fields with growing job opportunities.
The state constitution explains that tuition for state universities should be as close to free as possible. Hobbs plans to work towards consistent funding for in-state residents that would ease the tuition rates and make post-secondary education more accessible to low-income students.
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As a legislative member, one of Hobbs’ top priorities has been the expansion of education funding across the board.
Kari Lake, the Republican candidate, has put greater stress on technical education after high school. Lake has spoken on the ways technical education offers stability and the potential for higher pay without "the crushing debt" from colleges and universities.
"I believe it's extremely important Lake becomes our next governor…our state legislature has been on fire recently," said Ryne Bolick, a junior studying mechanical engineering and a board member for College Republicans at ASU.
Technical education refers to students attending trade school and taking CTE classes to work in professions like construction, automotive repair, plumbing and welding.
Lake’s plan to encourage students to go into technical education would start after a student completes 10th grade. Lake’s unconventional views on education boil down to a plan she described as a way for the state to address the betterment of educational outcomes and opportunities.
Lake has also touched on supporting more homeschooled students. Her platform promises to continue requiring Arizona universities to look at homeschool transcripts as equal to traditional transcripts.
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"Life under a Republican governor is life that can be enjoyed by college students," Bolick said. "Students need to continue to enjoy these economic opportunities and prosperity."
While the candidates have vastly different approaches to education in Arizona, the two both plan to work with business and industry leaders to put young people on a path toward stable jobs.
Riley Blocker, a freshman studying popular music, said it's important for students to look into the governor's race because of the impact it will have on them.
"It’s important to vote so that we don’t have people running the state trying to undo all the hard work done to make this place just and safe for everyone," Blocker said.
Reagan Priest, David Rodish and Luke Chatham.
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