Young Dems members and students in support of the panel at Kennesaw State’s Legacy Gazebo. Photo by Ethan Duncan
Democratic candidates met with KSU students Tuesday at the Legacy Gazebo as part of the Blue Wave College Tour, an effort to encourage political engagement ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The Blue Wave College Tour is an initiative by the College Democrats of Georgia to have democratic candidates in Georgia visit college campuses and connect with students across the state. The KSU visit was hosted by the Young Democrats at KSU.
The candidates in attendance were Chris Harden, Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, Danielle Bell, Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 44, and Nikki Porcher, Democratic nominee for Georgia labor commissioner. State rep. Lisa Campbell, who represents Georgia House District 35, was also in attendance.
“Our purpose here is to provide a forum for students to connect directly to candidates,” said Aiden Susser, president of the College Democrats of Georgia. “It’s to let them hear their experiences and see why it’s so important to be civically and politically engaged.”
The event was attended by about 15 students, including several Young Democrats at KSU members who helped organize it.
“I was a little disappointed with the turnout,” said Noah Sensing, campus events secretary for Young Democrats at KSU. “It was more than last time, which is good, but not as much as I wanted it to be. But that’s alright. We have plenty of more events coming.”
Students said they attended the event to learn more about the candidates and become more involved in local politics.
“I’ve been meaning to be more politically involved,” said junior political science major Superior McCowin. “I thought it was very important for me to come out, show my support and get as much information as possible about how the candidates plan on helping the community.”
“I thought the event was great,” McCowin said. “Each candidate had their own nuanced perspectives and thoughts.”
The candidates sat at a table in the Legacy Gazebo. Students were allowed to ask each candidate three questions of their choice.
“Tonight, I was able to see what the students are worried about,” Harden said. “If you want to represent everybody, you have to talk to everybody, so that’s why I wanted to come out here. I’m pulling for you guys.”
Harden’s platform emphasizes affordability for Georgians, public education, reproductive rights and constitutional issues.
The decision to visit KSU specifically was an intentional one by both the College Democrats of Georgia and the candidates themselves.
“I think the biggest thing is that KSU is close to so many swing districts,” Susser said. “Especially in our state house and state senate. It’s so crucial that, as democrats, we keep expanding our reach across the metro and beyond.”
“KSU is in the heart of my district,” Campbell said. “I think young people are the critical component for the future of our democracy.”
As an elected House representative, Campbell focuses on advocating for gun control, ending discrimination and protecting equal rights, education, health care access, and senior care.
Campbell has had an active presence at KSU, participating in the Georgia Politics Speaker series in 2025. She has also attended smaller events, such as poetry readings, voter outreach initiatives and events that promote civic engagement.
The event focused on encouraging students to get more politically involved and vote in the upcoming midterm elections.“If students mobilize, they can affect elections,” Harden said. “I think it’s important that you guys get involved in decisions that affect your future.”
“You are all the people who are making the decisions next,” Porcher said. “Your role and your voice [are] so powerful. I’m so thankful to the Young Dems for hosting the Blue Wave tour so we can speak with you all.”
“To me, political organizing is one of the most important things a person can do,” Susser said. “Regardless of major, being civically engaged is a part of what it means to be an American. Our country runs off the sweat and blood of people who are willing to put in the effort to make sure that we have a healthy, robust democracy.”
“Everybody must vote,” Sensing said. “If you don’t have a seat at the table, then you’re on the menu. Even if you’re not a democrat, you should get more politically involved. We need more political involvement in this country.”
The Georgia General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The registration deadline is Oct. 5. Early voting begins Oct. 13 and runs through Oct. 30.
