Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Politics

At 20, Jacob LaTurner already has his future mapped out.

LaTurner, sophomore in political science, announced on Feb. 22 his intention to run for the Kansas State Senate.

"I've been involved in politics all my life," LaTurner said. "My grandfather was a judge and my dad was the mayor of Galena."
LaTurner says his grandfather was a Democrat and his father was a Republican.
"It let me see both sides in a better light," said LaTurner, who is running as a Republican.

LaTurner was a Republican Party county chairman in Cherokee County before he came to Pitt State, and says his main goal is working to make a difference.

"I think a lot of the reason I'm running is because we need new leadership in the 13th District," LaTurner said. "Our generation needs to get involved in politics. We need to change the process, have a pragmatic way of looking at things, and find a balance."

In high school, LaTurner was student council president, a football player and a member of the choir. Originally coming to Pittsburg on a music scholarship, LaTurner says now he focuses his time on getting out and meeting the people of Southeast Kansas and the students of Pitt State.

"I want to find out their ideas, what they need in their lives," said LaTurner.
"They will want to make age an issue. [In Iraq] people are risking their lives for us at this age."

Jim Barone, D-Frontenac, is currently the 13th District senator. LaTurner says he hopes that after November, that will change.

"I'll be the youngest legislator in Kansas," LaTurner said. "As far as I know, in the country, too."

LaTurner says that his campaign message, "Reconnecting Southeast Kansas," means that he wants to open the doors of communication between voters and elected officials.

Some of the propositions of LaTurner's campaign include lowering taxes, cutting down on waste, increasing state funding to lower tuition costs, and making Pitt State more competitive with other four-year schools.

In the national elections, LaTurner says he is not happy with any of the presidential hopefuls, but is supporting Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate.

"However, he and I differ on many issues," he said. "I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. Obama sounds good and has a large following, but I don't agree with him policy-wise. I'm glad he is inspiring young people to get involved."

Although LaTurner plans to stay in Kansas for a while, he says his views on national issues involved in presidential campaigns are strong.

"[On immigration] I think we should follow the letter of the law," LaTurner said. "I think we need to tighten our border and penalize businesses that hire illegal immigrants. Also, we need to deal with global terrorism, be on the offense in regards to it."

LaTurner says he wants people to be a part of future elections in some way.
"I have no desire to be anything but senator for the 13th District of the State of Kansas," said LaTurner.
"For now, I would encourage every student to pick a candidate for president, pick a candidate for local races, and get involved."

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