Estill County students host political candidate forum ahead of election day
IRVINE, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) —As election day approaches, candidates are campaigning down to the wire. Tuesday night, Estill County residents heard from candidates running at the local, state, and federal levels.
But instead of a debate in a studio or a campaign rally, residents had a front-row seat to a forum at Estill County High School.
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The event was moderated by Estill County High School Junior Lincoln Wilburn, with questions from fellow members of the school's Y-club, a civic engagement program.
"The youth do have a voice and so does Estill County," said Wilburn. "I feel like Estill County gets overlooked when it comes to politics a lot. We really do matter and especially the youth here in Estill County. And we will fight for what is right."
Wilburn said moderating multiple debates was a great learning experience, including the sixth district congressional race between Democrat Zach Dembo and Republican Ralph Alvarado.
"I believe in smaller government," said Alvarado. "I believe in lower taxes. My opponent believes in higher taxes. I want to run a country with higher wages, with more money in your pocket. I believe giving you more power when you talk to your doctor and consider health care decisions instead of big insurance companies and the government."
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"I'm proud to have served you all and the people of America in the many roles that I've been entrusted with," said Dembo. "I would like to continue that in Congress as a fighter for you all."
U.S. Senate Candidate Charles Booker was also in attendance, welcoming the interest Estill County students are showing in politics.
"There's so much chaos, so much mess, so much division, but these young leaders know that humanity is worth fighting for," said Booker. "Kentucky is worth fighting for. They know their voices matter. This inspires me and I want to see more of this across Kentucky. So, I was honored to show up."
Wilburn said learning about candidates now will help students when it's their turn to vote.
"We are the future, and one day we will be voting in a time that is very soon," said Wilburn. "I'm 16. I'll be voting in two years. There are people over here who are 17 and some aren't even 18. So, it is very important for us to be informed of who we are going to vote for and learn about what we believe in and what we want to fight for."
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