Candidate's Corner: Recent Episodes
Vote-USA
Candidates' Corner Podcast is a forum for college students to ask questions to candidates running for office in elections across the United States of America.
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA intern Brandon speaks with Tanisha Sullivan, Democratic candidate for Massachusetts' Secretary of the Commonwealth. The Primary Election is September 6, 2022. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA intern Brandon interviews Joe Kent, Republican candidate for Washington's Third Congressional District. The Washington primary election is August 2nd. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Max Martinez, candidate for Mayor of Miami, Florida. The Mayoral election in Miami is November 2. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Diego Martinez, Republican candidate for Governor in California's upcoming Gubernatorial Recall Election. The Recall Election is September 14, 2021. GO VOTE!
California voters will decide whether or not to recall Governor Gavin Newsom on September 14, 2021.
In this episode of Candidates' Corner Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Brandon Ross, a Democratic candidate for Governor of California if the recall measure succeeds.
All candidates' views are their own and do not express or represent the values or beliefs of Candidates' Corner or Vote-USA.org.
In this episode Vote-USA intern Jesse speaks with Emily Norwood, candidate for San Antonio's 10th city council district. The election is May 1, 2021. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Jesse speaks with Marcello Martinez, candidate for San Antonio's 3rd city council district. The election is May 1, 2021. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Andrew speaks with Greg Raths, Republican candidate for California's 45th Congressional District. The General Election is Tuesday November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner Vote-USA intern Andrew speaks with Nicholas Betts, Democratic candidate for Virginia's 6th Congressional District. The General Election is November 3. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Andrew speaks with Moe Davis, Democratic candidate for North Carolina's Eleventh Congressional District. The North Carolina General Election is November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA intern Andrew speaks with David W. Brown, Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 5th Congressional District. The 2020 General Election is November, 3. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Riley speaks with George Petrilli, Democratic candidate for Illinois' Eighteenth Congressional District. The Illinois General Election is November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Kevin Kahn, Libertarian candidate for Ohio's First Congressional District. The Ohio General Election is November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Aaron Godfrey, Democratic candidate for Ohio's Sixteenth Congressional District. The Ohio General Election is November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Jaime Castle, Democratic candidate for Ohio's Second Congressional District. The Ohio General Election is November 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Kimberly Walker, Democratic candidate for Florida's Twelfth Congressional District. The Florida Primary Election is Tuesday August 18th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Dana Cottrell, Democratic candidate for Florida's 11th Congressional District. The Florida Primary Election is August 18th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Cindy Banyai, Democratic candidate for Florida's 19th Congressional District. The Florida Primary Election is August 18th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Elizabeth speaks with Darlene Swaffar, Republican candidate for Florida's Twenty Second Congressional District. The primary election is next Tuesday August 18th. GO VOTE!
This week Vote-USA intern Ruby spoke with Dave Cavell, Democratic candidate for Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District. The primary election is September 1. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Ruby speaks with Natalia Linos, Democratic candidate for Massachusetts' Fourth Congressional District. The Massachusetts Primary Election is September 1st. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Riley speaks with Jayne Swiggum, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 32nd State Senate District. The Wisconsin Primary Election is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Curtis Cook, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin House of Representatives 11th District. The primary election is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with Chris Walton, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's House of Representatives 17th Distict. The primary election in Wisconsin is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Sam speaks with JoAnna Bautch, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin House of Representatives 8th District. The primary election in Wisconsin is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Tricia Zunker, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District. The Wisconsin primary election is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Amanda Stuck, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional district. The Wisconsin Primary Election is August 11th. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Ruby speaks with Doug Basler, candidate for Washington's Ninth Congressional District. The Washington Primary Election is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Riley speaks with Jason Call, candidate for Washington's Second Congressional district. The Washington Primary Election is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Ruby speaks with Jesse Jensen, candidate for Washington's Eighth Congressional district. The Washington Primary Election is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Ruby speaks with Rick Lewis, candidate for Washington's Seventh Congressional District. The Washington Primary Election is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Riley speaks with Jeffrey Beeler, candidate for Washington's First Congressional District. The Washington Primary election will be held on August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Michelle Jasmer, candidate for Lt. Governor in the state of Washington. The Washington Primary election is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Liah speaks with Dick Muri, candidate for Lt. Governor in the state of Washington. Washington will hold their primary election on August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode, Vote-USA intern Henry interviews Cregan Newhouse, Gubernatorial candidate for the state of Washington. The Washington primary is August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA.org intern Elizabeth interviews Chris Armitage, candidate for Washington's 5th Congressional District. Washington will host their primary election on August 4, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode of Candidates' Corner, Vote-USA.org intern Sam interviews Joshua Collins, candidate for the state of Washington's 10th congressional district. Washington will host their 2020 primary election on August 4th. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Hannah speaks with Skylar Hurwitz, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District. The Congressional Primary Elections are currently set to be held on June 2, 2020. VOTE SAFELY!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Hannah speaks with Laura Quick, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District. The primary election is currently set for June 2, 2020. VOTE SAFELY!
In this episode we speak with Genevieve Morris, Republican candidate for Maryland's 2nd Congressional District. The primary election has been moved to June 2, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Hannah speaks with Bridgette Cooper, Republican candidate for Maryland's 8th Congressional District. Please note that the Maryland primary was moved to June 2, 2020. GO VOTE June 2!
In this episode Vote-USA intern Hannah interviews Veronica Jacobi, candidate for California's State House District 10. The California Direct Primary is March 3, 2020. GO VOTE!
In this episode Miles speaks with Greg Travis, City Council candidate for City Council District G in Houston, Texas. The election is November 5, 2019. GO VOTE!
In this episode Lucas speaks with Mehdi Cherkaoui, candidate for Houston's City Council District A. Learn more about the candidates running for office at Vote-USA.org. Houston municipal elections are November 5th, 2019. GO VOTE!
In this episode Miles speaks with Carling Dinkler, candidate for Louisiana's 91st State Legislative District Representative. Elections are October 12, 2019. GEAUX VOTE!
In this episode Miles speaks with James Simmons, candidate for Louisiana's 83rd legislative district. Louisiana state elections are October 12, 2019. GEAUX VOTE!
In this episode Miles speaks with Jameel Shaheer, candidate for Louisiana's 99th Legislative District. Elections are October 12, 2019. GEAUX VOTE!
In this episode Miles speaks with Cammie Maturin, candidate for Louisiana's 96th District Representative in the state's legislature. Elections will take place on October 12, 2019. GEAUX VOTE!
This week our intern Cloris had a chance to speak with Logan Bowers, candidate for Seattle City Council District 3. Seattle municipal elections are August 6. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at Vote-USA.org! GO VOTE!
In this episode intern Emma Young had a chance to interview Ethan Hunter, candidate for Seattle City Council District 4. The Seattle Municipal Primary Election will be held August 6. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
Transcription
School shootings are on the rise in the U.S. The Washington Post counts 237 school shootings since the Columbine shooting in 1999. In Washington state, there have only been three school shootings according to the K-12 School Shooting Database: Frontier Middle School in 1996, Marysville Pilchuck High School in 2014, and Freeman High School in 2017. Of the three, the Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting was the only one in the Seattle Metropolitan Area. In this incident 5 were killed and one was injured. In one Seattle Times article called “What we know about school mass shootings since Columbine and how to prevent them”, the author argues that focusing on fostering an inclusive school climate would be one of the most productive actions to take to reduce school shootings. It will be up to the local and state governments to determine the best path forward.
Another issue they will have to take up is salary increases for civil servants. Seattle is one of the most expensive cities in which to live in the country. The wages paid to city’s civil servants often leaves them unable to afford the costs of the city. The National Low Income Housing Coalition cites that the minimum salary needed to afford a studio apartment is $56,640. The starting salary for Seattle public school teachers is only $56,947 as of October 2018, leaving them barely able to afford to live in the city in the smallest living space possible. Prior to October, many would not have been able to afford it at all, since all teachers received a 10% salary increase. The starting salary for firefighters of $72,900 and for police officers of $81,444 is not enough for them to afford larger than a two bedroom apartment. These civil servants are so crucial to the city but can not afford to live here, which is why some are arguing for wage increases.
Seattle along with cities across the whole country have been deeply affected by the opioid crisis as well. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reported 179 deaths in Seattle due to drug related incidents, of which 123 were caused by opioids. The DEA Seattle Field Division anticipates that deaths will only continue to rise in the area due to opiate addiction. The opioid crisis touches every part of Seattle from stressing police resources, causing increased lawlessness, and disrupting communities.
Seattle as well as Washington state as a whole has taken a multi-pronged approach to combating the opioid crisis...(Transcription edited, only 4000 characters allowed)
In this episode intern Emma Young had a chance to interview John Lombard, candidate for Seattle City Council District 5. The Seattle Municipal Primary Election will be held August 6. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
Transcription
Seattleites will go to the polls on Tuesday August 6th to vote in the primary election. Seattle’s seven district city council seats are on the ballot. Between all seven districts, 56 candidates are running with a wide array of backgrounds ranging from a former spy, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a scientist.
All city council members hold a four year term. To run for district city council, potential candidates must have resided in the district for at least 120 before filing or declaring a candidacy, must live in their district during their term, and must be a registered City of Seattle voter. City council members earn $62.11 per hour resulting in an annual salary of around $120,000.
This election will be the first in which candidates running for district city council seats can use Democracy Vouchers. In 2015, Seattleites approved the Honest Elections Seattle Initiative to make elections more fair and transparent which includes the Democracy Voucher Program. Seattle is the first city in the country to implement a program like this. The program stipulates that the Seattle Ethics and Elections Committee distributes four $25 vouchers to each eligible recipient. The recipient can assign their voucher to any city council candidate who is participating in this program. The Ethics and Elections Committee will disburse the value of the voucher to the campaign of the voter’s choice. Not all candidates participate in the program as it is voluntary. Out of the 56 candidates running for city council, 32 are accepting Democracy Vouchers. To participate in the program, there are certain requirements the candidate must follow including adhering to strict campaign spending rules, not accepting money from Political Action Committees, limiting individual contributions, and participating in three debates.
Democracy Vouchers were first used in the 2017 municipal election. This is the first time district city council candidates have had the opportunity to use these vouchers. As of July 11, 2019, 51,775 vouchers have been used for a total of $1,294,375 distributed.
The whole landscape of Seattle has dramatically changed since the tech boom began around 2014. It was in this year that Seattle first claimed the title of the fastest growing city in the country. Currently, it ranks #2 nationwide as growth starts to slow. The population of the city is currently around 745,000 according to 2018 U.S. Census estimates.
A growing population has accompanied growing income inequalities. In 2016, the top 20% of earners in Seattle took home 53.3% of income earned in Seattle, whereas the bottom 20% took home only 2.6%. Inequality continues to grow because the top earners continue to make more money while to poorest’s salaries remain stagnant, widening the gap between quintiles... (description only allows 4000 characters)
This week intern Olivia had a chance to speak with Jonathan Allen, candidate for District 9 City Councilor in the City of Boston. The Boston Preliminary Municipal Election will be held September 24th. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
This week we had a chance to speak with Priscilla Flint-Banks, candidate for At-Large City Councilor in the City of Boston. The Boston Municipal Election will be held September 24th. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
This week intern Cloris had a chance to speak with Reuben Dockery, candidate for At-Large City Councilor of the City of Nashville. The Nashville Municipal Election will be held August 1. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
This week intern Emma had a chance to speak with Jimmy Lawrence, candidate for Mayor of the City of Nashville. The Nashville Municipal Election will be held August 1. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
Narration Transcription:
Nashville has experienced massive growth. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2018 Davidson County had a population of almost 700,000 people, which was a 10% increase from 2010. This growth has challenged the city’s affordability. The 2018 Nashville Chamber of Commerce Vital Signs Report found that 40% of residents had difficulty covering their monthly expenses, which was 6% higher than the previous year. Rising housing costs is one of the main contributing factors. In just the past 10 years, the median house price has jumped from $159,800 in 2008 to $246,500 in 2018. Housing markets have been unable to keep up with demand, causing prices to skyrocket while median household incomes have not experienced corresponding raises.
Tourism has also increased in recent years. In 2018, according to the Nashville Conventions and Visitors Corp, 15.2 million visitors came to Nashville. Tourism is a 6.5 billion-dollar industry which has been partially fueling the growth of the city. To attract tourists, Nashville invested in several large public works projects. One such investment was the Music City Center, which opened in 2013. Taxpayers have been picking up the bill for many of the Center’s expenses, such as police overtime for covering events and infrastructure upkeep for increased tourist traffic. Many would argue that the Center should cover these expenses instead of the city since it is the one generating these costs. In order to assuage its critics, the Convention Center Authority which runs the Music City Center agreed to give $10 million from its surplus funds to the city’s general fund to make up for some of the costs the city has covered in the past. However, some say that the $10 million isn’t enough nor is it a long-term solution.
Even though Nashville generates great wealth from its tourism industry, debt still plagues the city leaving tight budgets for all elements of the metro government.
The Metropolitan government has $3.6 billion in outstanding debt obligations. Last year, for every $10 spent by the city, $1 went to servicing its debt. The city’s debt problems can be traced back to policies implemented during the Great Recession and to borrowing that continued following its recovery. A Blue-Ribbon Commission was recently designated to address Nashville’s debt. It was tasked with trimming $20 million from the budget, and, in April of this year, the Commission released its first report with an extensive list of recommendations.
Mayor Briley proposed an operating budget of $2.3 billion for the next fiscal year. Unanticipated revenue shortfalls limited his budget proposal which leaves public schools severely underfunded. Metro Nashville Public Schools requested a $76.7 million increase in their budget to pay for 10% raises for its teachers and staff, but, in Mayor Briley’s budget, the school system was only awarded a $28.2 million increase. The Nashville School Board has proposed an alternative to raise the remainder of the money where a referendum would be put to Nashvillians to vote on whether to raise their property taxes to make up for the shortfalls of Mayor Briley’s budget. This plan is still being considered. Under Mayor Briley’s budget, property taxes would not be raised.
Today, we will be speaking with Jimmy Lawrence, one of the candidates for Mayor of the metro government. He is known not only as a local businessman but also as a musician. He does not have prior political experience.
Now, let’s dive in with Mr. Lawrence.
In this episode intern Emma Young had a chance to interview John Cooper, candidate for Mayor of Nashville. The Nashville Municipal Election will be held August 1. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at www.Vote-USA.org!
Narration Transcription
In the coming weeks, Nashvillians and citizens of Davidson County will go to the polls to vote in a variety of races including Mayor. Early voting starts July 12th and goes through July 27th. Election day is Thursday, August 1st.
The candidates for Mayor this August 1st are a diverse crowd. There are nine candidates in total, with four having ran in the 2018 Special General Election for Mayor and three having held office previously. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County’s city charter, created in 1963, stipulates that, to run for Mayor, a candidate must be 30 years of age at the beginning of the term, must have lived in Davidson County for at least three years prior to the election, and must live in the county during their term as Mayor. The Mayor serves a term of four years, and is a nonpartisan position. This is an at-large position that will represent all of Nashville and Davidson County. On election day, if any one candidate receives a majority, or greater than half, of the votes cast in the election, then this candidate will become the new Mayor. However, if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, then there will be a runoff election between the two with the most votes in a September 2019 Runoff Election. Whichever candidate that wins the most votes in the runoff election will become the next Mayor. The Mayor makes a salary of $180,000 per year.
Current mayoral candidates will be running to unseat the incumbent David Briley who took office in 2018 as the Metro Government’s 8th Mayor. Mayor Briley rose to this position in an unusual fashion by first serving as the Acting Mayor following the resignation of Former Mayor Megan Barry and by later winning the Special General Election to become Mayor. While mayor’s normally serve a four year term, the Special General Election of 2018’s purpose was to fill the remaining year of Former Mayor Barry’s four year term which began in 2015. Therefore, Mayor Briley will only serve for one year as Mayor before having to run for reelection for another term. While Mayor Briley won the Special General Election with 54.4% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election, the crowded field of eight challengers will certainly not make reelection easy. Today we speak with one of these challengers: John Cooper.
Mr. Cooper was first elected to public office in 2015 as one of Nashville’s five Metro Council at large representatives. During his time in office, he has worked to save public lands and to ensure the Metro government is spending taxpayer’s money well. Notably, largely through his efforts and dedication as an at-large councilman, Ft. Negley Park was saved from being sold off for private development. Prior to his work on the council, Mr. Cooper was involved in banking, real-estate, and retail business.
Now let’s hear from Councilman Cooper himself.
This week we spoke with Deirdre Kane, Democratic candidate for Pittsburgh City Council District 7. Learn more about candidates running for office in your community at Vote-USA.org. The municipal primary election in Pittsburgh is May 21st. GO VOTE!
In this episode we hear from Beth Finn, a Democratic candidate running for one of the At-Large positions on the Philadelphia City Council in the May 21 election. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at Vote-USA.org. Get out and VOTE!
This week we had a chance to speak with Moira Bohannon, candidate for Philadelphia City Commission. Pennsylvania will be holding elections May 21, 2019. Learn more about the candidates running for office in your community at Vote-USA.org. Get out and VOTE!
In the 2019 debut episode of Candidates' Corner we learn more about Aurora, Illinois, and Dr. Matt Harrington. Dr. Harrington is running for 6th district alderman in Aurora. All candidate opinions expressed are their own. Illinois counties and cities will host elections on April 2, 2019.
On this episode we meet Bill Haas, Democratic candidate for Missouri's Second Congressional District. Missouri's primary election will be held August 7th.
This week Vote-USA intern Noah Friedlander spoke with Steven X. Davis, Democratic candidate for Kansas' 45th House District. The Kansas Democratic Primary Election is August 7th.
On this episode we take a look at some of the history and current issues facing Tennesseans, and listen in on an interview with Vote-USA intern Haley Connor and Mariah Phillips, Democratic Candidate for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District. Tennessee's Primary Election will be held August 2nd, 2018.
This week Vote-USA intern Thomas Scott had a chance to speak with Beth Bowen, Democratic candidate for Michigan's 71st House District. Michigan's 2018 Primary Election will be held August 7th.
Vote-USA intern Thomas Scott had a chance to discuss the issues facing Colorado with Democratic candidate Guinn Unger. Guinn is running for in Colorado's 6th Senate District.
On this podcast we meet Kent Jarnig, Democratic candidate for House District 20. Kent was interviewed by Vote-USA intern Noah Friedlander. The Colorado primary election is June 26, 2018.
In this episode we take a look at Colorado's First Congressional District, and listen to an interview with Vote-USA intern Haley Connor and congressional candidate Casper Stockham.