Representative Sara Gelser at Linn-Benton Community College

On Tuesday, Oct. 28 Representative Sara Gelser spoke on the Linn-Benton Community College campus. Invited by the Student Leadership Council to talk of her future plans for Oregon, attending students had opportunity to ask her questions.

Fifty students gathered in the Forum as Rep. Gelser spoke about current projects in her elected District 16, Corvallis and Philomath. She is currently running for U.S. Senate District 8 against Senator Betsy Close (R) elected in 2012. District 8 would expand Gelser's scope to include Albany.

Both Senator Close and Representative Gelser were invited to LBCC by SLC for a candidate debate. However, Close did not acknowledge the request.

"We're positive she saw a copy of [our invitation] but she did not respond," said Jon Crenshaw, Oregon Student Foundation.

Gelser on the other hand happily obliged. After her visit on Tuesday she took to her Facebook page.

"Senate District 8 includes tens of thousands of student voters, so I was honored to accept an invitation to participate in a candidate forum at Linn-Benton Community College today. It was a little lonely being the only candidate to attend, but I enjoyed the great discussion with students about working families, college affordability, and equality. Thank you, LBCC and OSA for hosting a great forum!"

Adelaine Carter, SLC president, and Melissa Jeffers, staffer of The Commuter, were mediators fielding prepared questions for Rep. Gelser. Questions included her stance on higher education, cost of tuition, current midterm election ballot measures, and student safety.

"I really would like to see the cost of tuition not just to freeze but to decrease," said Gelser.

Gelser has already impacted child abuse laws and victims of abuse laws in the state of Oregon, a focal point of her campaign. She discussed her intention to bring awareness to sexual assaults on campuses.

"I think we need to talk a lot more about not only assault but the stigma in reporting assault. Men and women are sexually assaulted on campuses." She continued, "Rape is rape and there's no excuse for it."

There was much discussion about Measure 88, making four-year driver licenses available for those that cannot prove legal presence in the state. Rep. Gelser addressed her concerns about hate and racial stereotyping. 

"My opponent has run an ad that is very offensive calling 'them' illegal. No human being is illegal."

A student in the audience asked for her stance on Measure 91, legalization of marijuana.

"I think that the voters are likely to pass Measure 91 in the fall," adding, "I respect the voters but also want to make sure we are keeping drugs out of the hands of kids and minors, and making sure no intoxicants are used when driving."

Another student asked her thoughts on Measure 92, the labeling of GMO foodstuffs.

"We all have a right to know what we are buying. Consumers want to know what they are putting in their bodies."

In response to a question about Measure 89, equal rights for women, Rep. Gelser explained that across the state on average women are paid less than men. As Co-Chair for Oregon's Women Health and Wellness Alliance, equality is on her radar.

"I get an email everyday with a personal story of how things effect them."

When asked specifically if Rep. Gelser supported local Measure 22-130, the $34 million bond for LBCC, she responded with conviction.

"I absolutely support the bond."

Of her two degrees, she earned her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from OSU. Rep. Gelser currently lives with her family in Corvallis. A past member of the Corvallis School Board and Parent Educator and LBCC, she has been in legislation since 2005.