As Government of the Student Body elections approach, students have been given the chance to cross-examine senators in a series of GSB debates.

“Senators are important because they are able to bring forward any issues each constituency may have,” said Caleb Shinn, GSB election commissioner.

Randy Gebhardt, senior in electrical engineering, is running for the Frederiksen Court Association senate seat.

Gebhardt said he is running for GSB senate because he has never been okay with sitting back and just letting things happen.

“I like to be involved in what is happening,” Gebhardt said. “I feel like I could be really effective in this position because of my dedication and past experience with GSB.”

Gebhardt said he likes the idea of the senate debates.

“It forces voters and constituencies to actually look at all of the different people running,” Gebhardt said.

Travis Hilscher, sophomore in pre-architecture, is running against Gebhardt for the FCA senate seat.

Hilscher said the debate is more about the students than it is about him.

“My goal is to reach out there and let people know that GSB is their voice,” Hilscher said. “I would like to get involved and make a difference that will hopefully improve student relations with the university, administrators and the Ames community.”

Richard Harris, senior in construction engineering, is running for the University Student Apartment Community senate seat, which includes Schilletter Village and University Village.

Harris said his main focus is getting the community center built so USAC residents can have the resources they have been promised, including a childcare center.

“We need to be represented in GSB and I think I could do a good job representing this community,” Harris said.

Phil Hernandez, graduate student in educational leadership and policy studies, is also running for the GSB senate seat for USAC.

Hernandez said his two main platforms are advocacy, because residents of USAC can easily be forgotten, and education, because many USAC students do not know GSB exists.

Hernandez said the debate should focus on what changes need to take place and what issues the voters bring to the table, not about the candidates’ resumes.

“I’m not running for me; I’ve had the leadership positions in the past,” Hernandez said. “I see my candidacy as a service to the community because I can facilitate discussion between our residents and GSB.”

Hernandez said one of his biggest concerns is hearing students say the GSB election does not matter.

“GSB will mean nothing if we don’t participate in it,” Hernandez said. “GSB’s impact relies on us.”

The College of Design debate has been canceled because of family complications involving one of the candidates. Both candidates were unavailable for comment.