 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte Paul Wellstone came to SCSU for a rally Monday after the senator debate at the Paramount. Wellstone talked to students in the lobby of Ritsche Auditorium and closed by saying “We’re going to win this race!”
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Over 35 people rallied for Sen. Paul Wellstone’s re-election Monday in the Ritsche Auditorium lobby.
Curious on-lookers joined supporters from the community and campus to hear Wellstone and other DFL candidates give a pep talk.
Wellstone urged the importance of the senatorial election to balance out the number of democrats and republicans in the house.
“So many changes are going to be made that define the quality, or lack of quality, of life for people,” Wellstone said.
Additional speakers included St. Cloud Mayor John Ellenbecker, SCSU College Democrats President Cheyenne Malcolm, and Rep. Joe Opatz (DFL) as well as senate candidates Tarryl Clark (DFL-District 15) and Lynn Sherman (DFL-District14).
“This election is going to determine our future as students, our future as staff and faculty,” Clark said.
Sherman encouraged people to vote for Wellstone, “so we can make education a priority in this state once again,” Sherman said.
Wellstone would like to work for a world with alternatives to violence, more human rights and economic development. This includes going after insider corporate scandals and pharmaceutical companies, expanding taxes to cover tuition and books, and affordable health services and housing.
“He’s very real,” said Amy Conzemius, a fourth-year student majoring in social work.
Conzemius went to the rally with Missy Hale, a first-year student majoring in anthropology, following the senate race debate at Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud.
“He seems interactive with the people and cares more about different groups of people; everyone,” Hale said.
About 15 students from The College of Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s University attended the debate as well.
“His integrity showed through more than Mr. Coleman’s,” said Amber Kangas, third-year student majoring in political science major.
Wellstone and his campaign were pleased with the number of supporters at the rally.
“We’re going to get a big vote from the students,” Wellstone said. “We’re going to get a big vote on the students, and we’re going to win this race!”
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Senator Paul Wellstone who was killed on Friday in a plane crash.
