Attorney General Terry Goddard, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, kicked off the Young Democrats rally with a short speech on tuition, the education deficit during Gov. Jan Brewer’s administration and university budgets.

“”Working together, I know we can get out of this mess,”” Goddard said on the UA Mall on Monday.

Goddard also took a shot at his Republican opponent for not holding any more debates.

UA alumnus and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rodney Glassman focused his speech on job opportunities for Arizona and education.

Bringing back jobs to Arizona is a focus, Glassman said. “”The number-one issue right now for all of us: jobs.”” According to him, more job opportunities need to be created in the state so people stay in Arizona after they graduate from college.

He also referred to his opponent, Republican Sen. John McCain by saying, “”Four decades in Washington for one guy is enough.””

Chris Campas, president of the Young Democrats, the campus organization who brought the idea of the rally to the Goddard camp, said it was “”an incredibly important event.””

A Democratic tent was set up next to the stage, giving voter registration information to students on the last day to register.

The rally was meant to build enthusiasm among young voters, Campas said. “”We sort of feel like that’s how this election will be won, which side has more enthusiasm, more energy, is more active.

“”Young people are inherently progressive. We’re invested in the future,”” Campas said, saying the young demographic is an “”invaluable resource”” for the parties, Democrat and Republican alike.

Next to the rally, a Republican tent gathered people, while signs were held closer to the crowd in the Democratic event.  

Other candidates at the rally included Chris Deschene, running for secretary of state; Penny Kotterman, running for state superintendent of public instruction; Paula Aboud, running for state senate; and Manuel Cruz, running for Arizona state mine inspector.