ASBSU’s mayoral debate encourages students to get involved in … – Boise State University The Arbiter Online

Boise State’s student council ASBSU hosted a debate for Boise’s mayoral election in the Grace Jordan Ballroom on Monday, Oct. 16. The mayoral debate was live-streamed and open to the public to encourage civic engagement. 

This mayoral election season, Bosie citizens will vote between four candidates, current Mayor Lauren McLean, Mike Masterson former Boise Police Chief, Joe Evans an native Idahoan, and Aron Reis, a “right to die” supporter. All four candidates agreed to attend the debate, an event led by ASBSU’s Government Relations officer Cayden Stone and the Government Relations Committee. 

“Back in 2019, our government relations committee hosted a mayoral debate as a way to bring candidates on campus and have students interact with candidates and be able to hear them on the issues before voting in November,” Stone said.. “It takes student involvement leadership and takes the vision set by our ASBSU president and vice president to have events like this and how they prioritize the importance of having this kind of civic engagement on campus,” Stone said. 

The ASBSU Government Relations Committee also organizes events like voter registration week and Bronco Day at the capitol. 

“We really do want students to come to events like this because it is important to understand what’s going on at the local level,” Stone said. “This is where we all live at least nine months out of the year and we want to make sure that we have engagement and the candidates are also speaking to students because it’s really important for them to do so,” Stone said. 

The debate involved a student panel with government Relations Officer Cayden Stone, Honors College Senator Ethan LeHaug, and Non-Traditional Students Representative Matt Spelsburg and was moderated by Dr. Martin. 

“I think the benefit of us bridging ASBSU governments and state governments is that it gives people a chance to informally come in because people aren’t expected to wear suits. People can bring themselves as they are. We have the student panels, where students are bringing their legitimate requests,” ASBSU Vice President Jason Holmon said. 

Topics ranging from growth of the city, cost of living, affordability of housing, the importance of trades, city safety, maintaining roots of Idaho culture and diversity were discussed during the debate from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

McLean and Masterson held the debate attention and took time to provide their thoughts on every question the panel presented. 

“Bosians do it best when we work together,” McLean stated in the middle of the debate surrounding maintaining roots in Idaho culture. 

“We are one city but we are many communities here,” Masterson stated during the discussion on diversity.

The results of the Boise race for mayor are yet to be seen, and with only a few weeks left, the pressure is on. Early voting began Oct 23, and continues to general elections Nov 7.