The forum featured candidates Bobby Nelson, Joe Manchin, Charlotte Pritt and Mike Oliverio. It took place in the Alumni Lounge of the Memorial Student Center. 

Young Democrats President Nate Kuratomi said the purpose of the forum was to raise awareness and spark political interest among students. Kuratomi said he was pleased with the turnout. 

"I didn't expect to see so many students here tonight," said the sophomore from Coudersport, Pa. "I think it's great, and it says a lot for Marshall." 

Candidates began the forum by telling about their backgrounds and summarizing their platforms. 

Oliverio, who was endorsed Wednesday by the Charleston Daily Mail, is serving the second of two terms in the state Senate. 

"Recruiting new and better jobs to West Virginia and increasing participation in the political process are very important," Oliverio said. 

Pritt, a Marshall graduate, made unsuccessful runs for governor in 1992 and 1996, and has experience in both the House of Representatives and the state Senate. 

Pritt said her goal was to get young people involved in politics. 

"What saddens me is when I see the voter percentage among your age group," the Sissonville native said. "It makes me wonder why you give your power away. 

"I'm running for Secretary of State because I want you to take your power back," she said. "I want you to see you have the ability to co-create your life."

Former State Senators Joe Manchin, a Farmington native, and Huntington resident Bobby Nelson took approaches similar to Pritt and Oliverio. Both said they want to increase political participation among younger voters. 

The only conflict of the night came when an audience member asked the candidates about their thoughts on push polling, which is when a supporter of a candidate calls random numbers and asks people who they support in the campaign. 

If the person polled supports the other candidate, the caller then tells him or her negative things about that candidate. 

Pritt said one of her friends recently received that type of phone call in which she was a candidate in question. 

Pritt turned to Manchin and said, "I'm asking you, Joe, to call off the push polling." 

Manchin denied being involved and said he would like to find out who was behind the push polls. 

"Charlotte, if there is push polling going on, it must be your people because I'm not polling," he said. "If someone is doing that, I'd like to find out who they are." 

The candidates ended the forum by reiterating their platforms and asking everyone, regardless of candidate choice, to cast votes in the May 9 primary election. 

Story and Photo by Michelle James