Kristin Williamson, Republican candidate for the 103rd representative seat, answered questions from University students in a forum Tuesday night regarding her campaign, state policies and the University. The Illinois Student Senate sponsored the event in the Illini Union to increase student political participation and knowledge of the Nov. 4 midterm elections.

Williamson said her main goals as the potential House representative would be to create more jobs and a better state of the economy for Illinois. She said several things she would do include reforming the workers’ compensation system and making it easier for people to start small businesses.

Students asked questions primarily concerning student debt and student loans. Williamson said she supports keeping interest rates on student loans down, but also wants to create a healthy, friendly, business environment in the community. She said she does not support raising the minimum wage in Illinois.

Williamson said the ongoing pension crisis is the biggest issue related to campus. 

“This makes the University not as competitive as other Big Ten schools and makes it harder to recruit top tier faculty,” she said. 

Williamson also took a stance against for-profit MAP grant funding and said she would support a bill that would no longer allow the grants to be used at for-profit universities.

She stated her support for various student interest issues in the community, including first-time homebuyer tax credit, medical amnesty and the decriminalization of marijuana.

Garrett Hill, Williamson’s spokesman, said the campaign intended for the event to be an opportunity to engage with student voters.

“The University of Illinois is the economic engine of Champaign-Urbana,” he said. “The student body could sway the election.”

William J. Lynch, Committee on Community and Governmental Affairs chairman and graduate student, said the committee originally asked Carol Ammons, Democratic candidate for the seat, to participate in a debate with Williamson for the event. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Ammons was unable to attend.

Tea can be reached at [email protected].