Headshots of Larry LaRocco (D-Idaho) and Vicky Hartzler (R-Missouri)
Photo Courtesy: Noticeboard
BY: ELIZABETH KAMROWSKI, STAFF WRITER
Former members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be coming to St. Bonaventure University to meet with students, speak in classes and give a public forum from Nov. 13 to Nov. 14.
Every two years, Bonaventure participates in Congress to Campus, a program that brings former members of Congress to Bonaventure for conversations with students. Vicky Jo Hartzler, R-Missouri, and Larry LaRacco, D-Idaho will be visiting this year.
This event is organized by Bonaventure’s political-science department. Bart Lambert, a retired associate professor of political science at Bonaventure, directs the event.
Hartzler began her career in public service in the Missouri General Assembly, where she served as a state representative for six years — from 1995 to 2001 — representing parts of Cass and Johnson counties. In 2010, Hartzler returned to politics and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
LaRacco is a former Democratic Member of Congress who represented the First District of Idaho from 1991 to 1995. While in Congress, he served on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee.
The Nov. 13 forum will be held from 7-8 p.m. in the University Conference Center in Doyle Hall. It is free to attend and open to the community. Hartzler and LaRacco will discuss foreseen controversies for the 2024 elections.
“This is the first time most college students will vote in nationwide elections, so this is a good introduction to the issues and candidates running for the presidency,” said Lambert.
In addition to the forum, Hartzler and LaRacco will be leading discussions with students. The goal of these discussions is to emphasize the importance of civil bipartisanship, discussing issues facing the country and world today and giving students an insight to careers in public service. This includes how to run for political office and how to manage the work and life balance on Capitol Hill, according to the Bonaventure website.
Stephanie Karl, a junior political science major, said that she would be interested in this opportunity.
“I want to hear about the 2024 election from people who have worked in Congress during previous elections and how they may look similar or different to the upcoming election,” said Karl. “It’s also always interesting to hear from people who worked in the field that I want to and make connections with them.”
Lambert said that college students should engage in politics.
“The average student should care about politics because in a democracy the voters determine the leaders and the direction of the country,” said Lambert. “In addition, it gets students involved in the world beyond the Bona-bubble.”
kamrowes23@bonaventure.edu
