By Erica Moser, News Correspondent
In the months that led up to the presidential election on Nov. 6, Northeastern was abuzz with political activity, as students discussed the election, watched the debates and tracked polls.
Now, in the midst of a special election for US Senate, that energy may have faded.
“I feel like people expect there to be candidates in October/November, and people aren’t really thinking about politics right now,” Meghan Davis, a second-year behavioral neuroscience student said.
Political organizations and campaign staffs have been trying to get the word out, but many Northeastern students remain unaware.
A US Senate seat opened in January when the Senate confirmed former Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry as Secretary of State, succeeding Hilary Clinton. Governor Deval Patrick appointed his former chief of staff, William “Mo” Cowan, as interim senator until Kerry’s official replacement could be elected in a special election June 25.
US Representative Ed Markey’s campaign has 18 campus organizers who each work at least 20 hours a week canvassing, collecting pledge to vote cards and virtual phone banking.
It’s “the only campaign investing significantly in grassroots organizing,” said Markey press secretary Andrew Zucker, “and the only campaign that said, ‘we need young people and students to be part of our effort.’”
Markey is vying with fellow US Representative Stephen Lynch for the Democratic nomination, while the Republican contenders are Gabriel Gomez, Mike Sullivan and Dan Winslow. The primary is April 30.
Northeastern’s campus organizer for the Markey campaign is Marvin McMoore, also president of the Northeastern University College Democrats this semester.
“We’ve been canvassing literally every weekend this semester,” he said. “Taking a group of Northeastern students out and we’ve been going to neighboring communities.”
The 25 or so consistent members of the NU College Democrats unanimously decided to support Markey over Lynch, McMoore said.
Markey was on campus April 10 and gave a speech to about 35 people in a Curry Student Center room, and McMoore spoke to the members of NU Pride last week about the upcoming election.
He stressed that it’s been important to not “just stand in the sidelines and just wait until April 30.”
J.T. Kelly, president of the Northeastern University College Republicans, has attended one event but is “waiting to hear more about different opportunities.
The group has taken a different approach in deciding not to espouse a single candidate, members said.
“We’ve been primarily focusing on helping the three candidates – Mike Sullivan, Gabriel Gomez and Dan Winslow – by promoting their opportunities to our club and relaying their volunteer opportunities,” Kelly said.
He believes that as “a clear candidate arises” closer to the election, “more people will get involved.”
Katie Regan, chair of the Massachusetts Federation of Young Republicans, shared similar thoughts.
“We have been reaching out to our members and letting them know that there is a special election coming up and letting them know who the qualified candidates are running for the Republican nominee,” she said, “and then encouraging them to research them and get to know them.”
The group recently had an event during which three members, each working on a different campaign, gave speeches on why they’re supporting their respective candidates.
Regan also noted that “young people vote for the candidate that goes on college campuses,” which Democrats do, and “the Republican Party is doing their autopsy and trying to figure out how to get the youth to support the Republican Party.”
Despite the efforts of Zucker, McMoore, Kelly and Regan, the response of many students is, “what election?” Some know vaguely of the election but cannot name any candidates.
“I think probably with exams, I haven’t had much time to go outside of my anatomy bubble,” said Christine Donahue, a first-year nursing student.
Hayley Williams, a third-year business/finance student, echoed the sentiment that she’s been busy because it’s finals week.
“I feel like students are more involved with presidential elections than local elections,” she added, “unless they’re political science majors.”
Williams also said she is more focused on business news than political news.
Regan pointed out that with Mayor Menino resigning, “people seem to be paying more attention to the mayoral race.”
Another factor may be the fact that many college students aren’t from Massachusetts and are more likely to be knowledgeable of politics in their home states or home countries.
“I live in Switzerland, but my mother’s Irish and my dad’s from Uruguay,” said Matias Haller, a first-year physical therapy major, “so I’m not really sure where I’m supposed to keep up with.”
