As music played and supporters waved signs on central campus, Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore told the crowd that education ranks at the top of his priorities.

“My No. 1 priority is education,” Gore told the crowd of about 2,000 Friday as his family and local Democratic supporters stood behind him. “I think that we need to treat teachers like the professionals they are and reduce class sizes.”

Gore and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush have been making last-minute campaign stops across the country before Tuesday’s election.

“I love Iowa,” Gore said. “I came here before for the caucuses, which set me forward on this journey. I can hear it in your enthusiasm and cheers that we are going to win Iowa.”

Gore and his supporters touched on many topics, including farmers in Iowa. Gore said the country needs to get rid of the provisions of the Freedom to Farm Act and create real safety nets to help family farmers.

The country has to make an important decision to go forward or to take a right-wing path backwards, he said.

Gore mentioned other issues such as ethanol, equal pay for women, prescription drugs and some of Bush’s plans.

“I want to take the medical decisions away from the HMOs and give it back to the doctors,” he said.

Gore said it is unacceptable that women still only make 76 cents for each dollar men earn.

“I want equal pay for an equal day’s work,” he said as the crowd erupted in applause.

Gore’s wife, Tipper, and his 23-year-old daughter Kristin spoke before the vice president, emphasizing the importance of the student vote.

“I really want you to know that your vote matters in this election,” Tipper Gore said. “We are a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Iowa Democratic politicians, including Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Leonard Boswell, came to Ames to show their support for Gore and encourage voters to hit the voting booths.

“Leave no stone unturned to get out the vote this Tuesday,” Boswell said.

Iowa Rep. Johnnie Hammond, D-Ames, emphasized the power of a single vote.

“One vote made Hitler head of the Nazi party,” she said.

Gov. Tom Vilsack said Iowa is in the middle of the “battleground states” — states that he said need Democratic leadership.

“Stay in Texas, George; we don’t need that kind of leadership in Iowa or in the United States,” Vilsack said. “This election is not about two candidates — it is about our collective future.”

Some members of the crowd, including ISU alumnus Lon de Baca, said Gore showed why he would be a good president for the United States and Iowa.

“The fact that Al Gore was fighting for Iowa during the farm crisis is one of the things Gore has done for Iowa,” he said. “Gore has also brought diversity to Iowa. We are on the front lines of a changing population.

If he is elected, Gore said, he would use the office to represent every citizen of the United States.

“It’s the one position who fights not just for a few, but for you,” he said.

Daily reporter Emily Brink contributed to this story.