The Democratic candidates for five local elections spoke on campus about their platforms and today’s most contentious issues in a last-chance effort to solicit new voters and convince would-be supporters to go to the polls.

More than 40 people watched as actor Mark Ruffalo endorsed the candidates in a brief comedic video, and each candidate spoke for five to 10 minutes about their positions leading into this election.

Pipe Dream asked each candidate what they thought the most important issue for students was, and how they will work to make student voices heard.

Dan Lamb Democratic candidate for United States Congress

“Well, the most important issue for students is feeling like they have a connection to the federal government through the House of Representatives. I know the House of Representatives has been an under-performing institution for years, particularly in the last two years. And I think a lot of young people have just given up hope that it’s going to do anything productive to help their start of their careers. And, in fact, do anything productive to help them afford college because this current Congress has cut student aid so drastically and proposed even more additional cuts to student aid. And students look at that and see, ‘Okay, this is a hostile group to my interests, I think I’m probably just going to tune them out.’ And to me, that would be a tragedy because I don’t want young people to think just because this is the way it’s been recently doesn’t mean that’s the way it’s going to be. We can turn this situation around by getting some people elected who aren’t just focused on special interests, who are running grass roots campaigns. I don’t owe my campaign or the success of this race to anyone but the people of this district. That’s an anomaly today and I think these students know that. I’m trying to convey tonight that you can believe in the system if we work together and build trust and I hope I took a step in that direction and that all of these students get out and vote tomorrow.”

Donna Lupardo Running for re-election to the New York State Assembly

“I think that students are most concerned about what future lies before them, who understand that the people who are serving in public life in federal, state and local levels understand that the local economy, state economy, federal economy is something that we all have to be working to improve. And if they feel as if we’re either caught up in partisan squabbles or caught up in issues that are more intended to divide people than unite them, that students will see that and get discouraged, apathetic and turn away from public life. For me, as a former alum and former faculty here, I am committed to the dream of higher education and all of what it has to offer, not only for the sciences, but also for the humanities.”

Dan Reynolds Running for re-election as Broome County Legislator

“I think the students should be concerned with the environment. I know they are concerned with fracking, that’s hydraulic fracturing for natural gas exploration. It’s not safe, it’s unsafe. My opponent, Anthony Galli, is for it, I’m not. We need more studies, we need health studies. And I think that’s an extremely important issue. Over and above that, we have developed many partnerships and the students’ voice will be heard through the Democratic candidate, through me. I’ve always been extremely responsible and responsive to the students. We’re developing many things including a Downtown incubator where all these great ideas that we have up here on campus can be transferred into tangible jobs and economic benefits to the area so that they have opportunities upon graduation here as opposed to elsewhere. There are many, many interactions that I’ve had on campus with students and I’ll continue to be a presence on campus.”

Tarik Abdelazim Democratic candidate for Broome County Executive

“I think fracking is a very serious issue for the students. I’ve heard from them, I’ve talked with them. They believe that’s a serious concern. I know a lot of them love this place and the challenge is always the jobs. So, there’s the prospect or the suggestion that fracking is the only solution. I don’t believe so. I think it’s a boom and bust model. There’s going to be some short term economic benefits for them in an effort to retain students. In the long term, we really shoot ourselves in the foot. So, I’ve put forward a very aggressive plan, energy efficiency, renewable energy, a strong component on agriculture. I believe that that’s going to be the policy that will help create more job opportunities for students to stay here while protecting the health and safety of future students.”

Paul Logablo Democratic candidate for Vestal Town Board

“I think there’s the pragmatic issue of fracking because it affects your health and it’s a predominant issue. It’s pretty clear on my mind that there is a definite choice there between myself who is against the fracking at this time because it is so unsafe and my opponent who is for it. The other thing that I think is extremely important is that the students stand up, get represented and get counted. I can’t tell you how sometimes it’s frustrating to see all these students here who have terrific values, but are not being heard, are not voting and are not standing up for the values that they should be. Fracking is a very important issue, but there’s a ton of very important issues and I would love to see students be involved in and if there’s something I can ever do to help them, I’ll be right there.”