First Mayoral Debate held at UTC

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It was a bi-partisan collaboration as College Republicans and College Democrats hosted tonight’s mayoral debate.

They wanted to bring all the candidates so people of their generation could have a better understanding of who they will be voting for to lead the Scenic City.

Brittany Self who is with the College Republicans says, “We decided to put this together because after this last election we saw a huge upset in students in particular who are concerned with politics and our politicians , so why not continue the talk in politics.”

“We thought that the best way to do that was to bring politics to the campus and have students directly ask questions to the mayoral candidates,” said Semaja Reed who is with the College Democrats.

Not only that, but this is the first mayoral debate since the campaign started.

All 4-mayoral candidate participated in the debate all trying to sway young voters in the room that they are best one for the job.

Although each held their arguments many still have some unanswered when it came to the candidates clarifying there answers.

Hailey Williams says,  “I was really interested in some of the candidates saying there should be no interference with police and then the same candidate going back and saying referring to the civil right movement and when there was so much police brutality and how we should go back and reflect and learn from those times.”

Students like Hailey Williams wasn’t the only one who mentioned a level of uncertainty within the candidates many feeling uncertain by some of their answers.

Ivy Hall who is a local resident of Chattanooga says,  ” I felt like there could of been more clarification on like some of their views of the things that they said with you know what they would put into action if they were mayor.”

“I think that even they are uncertain about affordable housing living situations I think that they don’t really know a way to go about impacting that, ” said Reed.

” So if you don’t like something , do something about it volunteer for a campaign, get involved with your student school organizations, because we are constantly getting people asking for volunteers and asking for our opinions and the millennials will be the largest generation in history, so we will make a difference,” said Self.

Early voting begins next week on the 15th and ends March 2nd.