Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and Democratic challenger Mark Schauer will face each other in an election next month to decide who will lead the state for the next four years, and the decision has divided students and faculty at the University of Detroit Mercy.
The 2014 gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 4.
Daniel Shine, an adjunct professor who teaches mass media ethics, agrees with Snyder and believes in his vision.
“I think Gov. Snyder has done a pretty good job,” Shine said. “He inherited a mess and I think he has put some structure on these problems to help them move along towards no longer being problems.”
Lori Allan, a graduate student from UDM, views the election differently.
“I don’t think Snyder has the public’s best interest in mind,” she said. “When he made plans to allow concealed weapons in public schools in 2012, he lost my confidence.”
Allan plans on voting for Mark Schauer because she can relate to him.
“I am voting for Schauer because he is a Democrat and shares the same values and beliefs that I do,” said Allan. “He grew up in Michigan and was educated in Michigan, has experience in politics and urban planning, supports job growth, education, gun issues and transportation.”
The Rev. Justin Kelly, who teaches in religious studies, plans to vote for Schauer, too.
“While I think Gov. Rick Snyder has been better on the whole than his Republican predecessor,” said Father Kelly, “he is still too much in the pocket of Big Business for me to support him.”
Shine, on the other hand, feels Schauer needs to do more to stand out and capture the attention of the people.
“I don’t know much about Schauer, which is his fault,” said Shine. “He needs to distinguish himself more. Give me specifics why I should vote for you.”
One of the campaign slogans for Schauer states, “He is fighting for an economy that works for everyone not just the wealthy.”
Kelly believes Schauer will hold true to this motto.
“As a Democrat, Schauer is bound to be more pro-union and pro the working man and the poor than Snyder,” Kelly offered.
Numerous other state and local races also will be decided in next month’s election.
