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Students discuss opposing political strategies in area

By Mackenzie Clune, For The Miami Student

Fall is right around the corner and the shift in season marks a period of transition, and of course, political campaigns. As the Nov. 4 election approaches, tension is rising in Butler County between the Republican and Democratic Parties.

Though strategies differ between the two parties, their ultimate goal is the same - to take, or in the case of the Republican Party to maintain, primary control of Butler County's political representation.

Republican dominant since the 1970s, Butler County is approaching crossroads. Thus far, opinions suggest the Republican Party is ahead financially and numerically. Early voting begins Oct. 7, and the Republicans have no intention of losing the primary influence of the area.

Haley Odle, a sophomore member of Miami University's College Republicans organization, is not particularly worried about the outcome of the election.

"Butler County has been predominately Republican for the past three decades," said Odle. "Statistically, the odds of the Republicans coming out on top are in our favor."

Furthermore, Odle said, there are far more registered Republican voters than there are Democratic voters.

The Republicans hold 46,188 registered voters compared to the Democratic party's registered 9,049. Therefore, the Democrats' main focus is on conversation with the citizens and rallying inactive voters through both face-to-face conversation and the use of technology.

Miami sophomore Bela Bacidore is also a Republican and she said she does not believe any amount of the Democratic party's face-to-face communication with the citizens of Butler County could override the number of supporters the Republicans already have.

While the Republicans are insistent the influence of the party will remain unchanged, Alyssa Knight, President of Miami University's College Democrats organization, has a contrasting opinion.

In regards to John Boehner, the current Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Knight feels that change is in order.

"Speaker Boehner does not believe he needs to visit his own district and speak directly to his constituents," said Knight. "We expect to see more ads from him."

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Knight said Tom Poetter, Boehner's opponent for the 8th District's Representative to Congress, is putting a lot of effort into the Democratic campaign.

"Tom Poetter is proving to District 8 that he will represent their needs in Congress --- something that Boehner has forgotten about since becoming the apeaker," said Knight. "Many people in the district are ready for a new representative."

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