College Republicans hosted a speech by Congressman Robert Aderholt, who represents the 4th District of Alabama on Tuesday where he discussed how he got involved with politics, as well as his current reelection campaign.
He began his speech by giving the crowd some insight about his political background. “My first race was for state legislature in 1990,” Aderholt said. “I lost my first race in November of 1990 when I ran in the general election and was very discouraged by the results.”
He said after he lost his race, he started practicing law and was appointed municipal judge in his hometown.
“The interesting things about politics are that you never know what it is going to be,” he said. “Political science is not an exact science.”
“We try to always have speakers at our meetings to expose students to different candidates and politicians,” said CadeAnn Smith, a senior majoring in criminal justice and political science and president of College Republicans.
She said some of the students interned with the congressman this summer at his office in Washington, D.C.
“It is great to have the congressman here with us tonight because some of us have a real personal relationship with him,” she said.
Aderholt said it was good to be back with the student interns and it was a pleasure to be able to reconnect with them.
Smith said she hopes students become more familiar with the congressman after the event.
“He really is a normal, average person and it was great for students to learn about what he did to get where he is in government today,” Smith said.
Aderholt sponsored the first bill President Obama vetoed in Congress, which involved legalized notaries.
“The bill passed in the House and in the Senate unanimously, but it was vetoed by the president,” he said. “I do think that he was given some information and feedback that he thought the bill would lead to more foreclosures.”
Luke Netjes, a sophomore majoring in political science, asked the congressman for more information about the bill that got vetoed and he said he got more information from the congressman’s answer.
“I got good background information from the speech, and I think all students should be active voters,” he said. “I think it is one of our greatest privileges as Americans.”
Twinkle Cavanaugh, who was also in attendance at the event, is running for Public Service Commissioner. She gave a brief speech to the group about the position she is running for and her platform.
“Public service commissioner is at the bottom of the ballot sheet, but you should pay close attention to it,” she said.
Public service commissioners are in charge of the cost of utility bills and making decisions on whether they will be increased, she said.
Some of the things she highlighted in her platform was she will look for ways to lower bills, and be transparent to the public.
A representative from the Student Government Association also attended the event and informed students about the SGA’s new letter writing campaign, through which students can voice concerns or say thanks to representatives in government.
