Gubernatorial debate

Story by Samantha O’Neal

The Gubernatorial Debate took place at 7:00 p.m. in the Union Ballroom on Tuesday evening. Governor candidates from both the Federalist and Nationalist parties were given questions to debate on for two minutes each.  Earlier that day the winners of the primary elections were announced and the Governor candidate from both parties debated later that evening. Kameryn Sannicks became the Federalist party Governor candidate, and Macie Clawson represented the Nationalist party.

The questions that both Sannicks and Clawson faced during the debate differed.  Some questions were about their own personal weaknesses and strengths. Most of the questions, however, involved current event topics within the state of Nebraska.  Some of these topics came from within the United States as well.

Sannicks spoke about the Federalist party’s platform prior to the debate.  Sannicks stated that the Federalist party did not support the use of fracking for extracting resources from Nebraska’s fields. Another plank in the party’s platform was to support the reform of school lunches by pushing for more cost effective, nutritional meals. The Federalist party supports the de-emphasizing of standardized testing while emphasizing student achievement in Nebraska. The Federalist party also thanked the American Legion Auxiliary for the Girls State program.

Clawson then spoke on the Nationalist party’s platform.  Clawson stated that the Nationalist party supported the increasing of state funding for mental health institutions. Nationalists also opposed the further construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Clawson explained that the Nationalist party supported the equalization of the wages across gender, race and sexual orientation in the work force. Finally, the Nationalist party thanked the American Legion Auxiliary for the Girls State program.

Throughout the debate, the candidates answered the questions to their best ability. Sannicks and Clawson both made interesting points with their opinions. Sannicks and Clawson closed the session with their final remarks to the Girls State delegates.