Senator Claire McCaskill called on MU students to get out and vote during a campaign stop on campus Tuesday afternoon.
Healthcare and higher education costs were two of the topics McCaskill discussed with the crowd of about 100 students. She opened the floor to questions and conversation to hear comments and concerns from the people she is working to target—young voters.
McCaskill opened with concerns centered on young people’s voting patterns, which she said are extremely low compared to other age groups. She said she would not be shocked if the election in November was decided by the way young people vote.
“Well this is going to be a close election,” McCaskill said. “I really humbly and respectfully would appreciate their support and their involvement in this campaign.”
Some students raised concerns not only about the division between Democrats and Republicans, but about the division between liberal and moderates within the Democratic Party itself.
“A lot more unites us than divides us,” McCaskill responded.
She said in both parties, there are extreme voices and others who stay in the middle of the spectrum, like her. McCaskill said only true work can be accomplished when parties work together.
To end the conversation, McCaskill encouraged the students to not just vote, but to get involved with the campaigns of their choice and to encourage the people around them to register now that the election is nearing.
McCaskill, the two-term senator, is being challenged by Republican Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley.