Editor's note: The Cleveland Stater reached out to CSU’s two student organizations, the Cleveland State College Democrats and the CSU Chapter of the Collegiate Conservative Coalition, inviting them to write an opinion piece explaining why a college student should vote for the Democrats or Republicans in Tuesday's general election. The Democratic club accepted the invitation. The GOP club declined.

We are printing here the letter from Cael Shaw, president of the Cleveland State College Democrats:

Fellow Vikings, 

On Oct. 16, the CSU College of Law hosted a conversation between Dean Lee Fischer and former Republican Senator Rob Portman, who emphasized leadership as saying, “there you are,” rather than, “here I am.” 

As a leader in the Cleveland State College Democrats, I believe this mindset is crucial, especially in this election cycle. 

This Nov. 5 general election will be the first presidential vote for many of you and the choice could not be clearer. I’m sure you already know that to protect your right to keep the government out of your healthcare decisions, you should be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, I will offer you three other reasons why Harris has my vote this November. 

1) Harris is committed to building an Opportunity Economy to reduce taxes for the middle class, helping students like us start families when and how we want, and making rent and homeownership more affordable. Harris’ Federal Earned Income Tax Credit expansion helps many of us with “college jobs” like being cashiers, custodians and delivery drivers. Her Opportunity Agenda also focuses on health equity and Black men, but these programs will uplift all Americans. 

2) Climate is a healthcare issue and Harris knows this. As the tiebreaking vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, she supported clean energy jobs and climate action – protecting our Great Lake and our river. The Harris/Walz ticket also commits to strengthening Medicare. The American Rescue Plan, which Harris cast the deciding vote for, helped Cleveland rebound from COVID-19 and invested in our city’s future. 

3) Harris fights to keep prices affordable by eliminating corporate price gouging on groceries and prescriptions. She will raise the minimum wage and end subminimum wages for tipped workers. She’ll also eliminate taxes on tips, helping students like us working service jobs make it through school. 

None of this will be possible unless we give PRESIDENT Harris and VICE PRESIDENT Walz a Congress they can work with. This means electing Democrats like Matt Diemer, Shontel Brown, Emilia Sykes, Keith Mundy and sending SHERROD BROWN back to the Senate! We must also protect these missions by electing LISA FORBES, MICHAEL P. DONNELLY and MELODY STEWART to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Each of these candidates, including Harris and Sherrod Brown, embody the leadership that Portman described by walking into the room and saying, “there you are,” not “here I am.” They are focused on you – your needs, your future and our community. 

We’ve got this, Vikes. I know you will make the best choice! 

– Cael Shaw, President of the Cleveland State College Democrats