The candidates vying for the 92nd District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives are urging college students to talk to and work with policymakers after the election, regardless of the outcome.

“If there’s an issue you’re passionate about, don’t let it stop if the person you voted for doesn’t get the position. Work with whichever candidate wins, regardless of whether you voted for them,” said incumbent Rep. Jimmy Stewart, 36, R-Athens.

His opponent, Democrat Debbie Phillips, 37, of Athens, advises students to talk directly with their government representatives. “They’re people too, and if they don’t hear from you, they may never know your perspective,” she said. “If people work together, real change is possible; you have more power than you think.”

Both contenders are experienced with the Athens area and its politics. Stewart previously represented the 1st Ward on Athens City Council and served as Athens city auditor. Phillips is the city’s 4th Ward councilwoman and executive director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, a coalition of citizen and religious organizations trying to find a solution to the problem of schools’ reliance on local property taxes and the resulting inadequate funding.

Stewart holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Marshall University and a Masters of Business Administration from Xavier University. Phillips received a Bachelor of Special Studies degree from OU.

The candidates say their personal experiences help them relate to the financial concerns facing college students. As the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign executive director, Phillips said she gained insight working with youth who have gone through the college transition process. Phillips plans to continue working with the campaign to reduce this financial stress on families earlier in a child’s educational career. Phillips has said she wants to provide more educational and job opportunities to boost the state’s youth retention rate.

Stewart said he relates to the concerns of college students because he needed student loans and scholarships to complete his education. In addition to searching for solutions to the school funding question, Stewart plans to work in the legislature to support business development, Ohio tourism, biotechnology and alternative energy.