MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Prospective voters sat down with two of the four U.S. Senate candidates at West High School Civic Club’s first town hall in Madison.
As incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Libertarian Phil Anderson spoke to high school moderators at Monday’s forum, student-generated questions spanned the economy, immigration and foreign policy.
Sophomore and emcee Clark Schrager wanted to host the event to get young people involved in politics, even though some of them are too young to vote on Nov. 5.
“At some point in 2022, the consumer price index exceeded the 8% inflation rate. What is your plan to ensure that families can afford basic necessities?” he asked the candidates. Ta. “That’s what I really want to know, who’s answering my questions. We’re going to try to get the best answers for our students. I think that’s going to be a really good thing.”
West High Civic Club hosts U.S. Senate Town Hall in Madison (Marcus Aalsvold)
West High Civic Club Advisor Carrie Bowman said it’s never too early for young people to question politicians about policies that will affect their future.
“Many decisions about children’s lives, such as gun safety, school policy, curriculum policy, etc., are made without children’s input,” she says. “So they’re involved, they have a voice, and they know it.”
Bowman was impressed by the students’ passion and interest in the issues that elected officials decide on. “I just have to pinch myself,” she said. “I didn’t write those questions! They wrote those questions! I didn’t tell them what to write!”
West High Civic Club hosts U.S. Senate Town Hall in Madison (Marcus Aalsvold)
“So we wanted to present both sides of this debate,” Schrager said. “It’s about making sure that voters, especially young voters who are voting for the first time in this election, know what they’re voting for and what they’re voting for.”
Not all candidates came to the forum.
Republican Eric Hovde’s team and MMSD said he was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Thomas Rieger, who is running as an America First candidate, also did not participate.
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