Written by Amy Stoltenberg and Annslee Jordan Saxon
Photos by Amy Stoltenberg
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — College-age voters are playing a highly visible role in the Democratic nominating contest for President. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are heavily courting that key demographic.
On the Republican side, however, younger voters are far less visible, but according to a handful of Trump supporters, young people should give their candidate a shot.
Last week, in the run-up to South Carolina’s Republican primary, front-runner Donald Trump drew more than 400 people to a rally on Kiawah Island, an exclusive golf resort community roughly two hours north of Savannah. His young supporters, though just a small slice of those in attendance, say Trump’s message should resonate with young people.
“Honestly, with our age alone, Bernie is big 
just because of the college funding,” said John Enstis, 17, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, referring to Sen. Sanders’ proposal for free public college tuition for all Americans. “Before this, I was a little judgmental of … my friend who brought me here, because he’s always been a huge Trump supporter. But this speech has swayed me.”
At the rally, Trump hit on familiar talking points, touting his business expertise. He made news when he blasted Pope Francis for suggesting Trump was “not Christian” for proposing plans to close of the U.S.-Mexico border with a large fence.
“If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president,” Trump said.
That claim drew huge applause, as did Trump’s repeated statements that he’ll be an independent President, free from the pressure of lobbyists and corporations because he has refused political donations.
“I really support him in his self-funding for his campaign,” said Brevan Stallings, 17, from Charleston, South Carolina. “I feel like it really goes along with the American Dream of doing things on your own and making your own dream come true.”
T
rump won South Carolina’s Republican primary with 32 percent of the vote. This Saturday, Democrats in the Palmetto State head to the polls. Clinton and Sanders are expected to hold rallies and other events in the state.
On Tuesday, March 1, Georgia Democrats and Republicans will get their chance to vote. Twelve other states, mostly in the South, will also vote on Tuesday. The Democratic candidates may visit Georgia in the days before that election, but neither Clinton nor Sanders listed any Georgia rallies on their website at press time.
South Carolina, however, will host Clinton this week at a number of rallies that are within a few hours of Savannah. Bernie Sanders held rallies on Tuesday in South Carolina, but headed to other primary states.
There are a number of local events aimed at getting the vote out for both candidates, including a volunteer sign-up and voter registration event for Clinton at Forsyth Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, and a sign-up and registration event followed by a march for Sanders at 9 a.m. on the same day in Forsyth Park.
GETTING INVOLVED
Hillary Clinton
Rally
Cumberland United Methodist
Florence, S.C.
Thurs., Feb. 25, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Rally
Royal Baptist Church Family Life Center
North Charleston, S.C.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Forsyth Park Tabling
Forsyth Park
Savannah
Sat., Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bernie Sanders
Forsyth Park Tabling
Forsyth Park
Savannah
Sat. Feb. 27, 9 a.m.
March for Bernie
Forsyth Park
Savannah
Sat. Feb. 27, Noon
South Carolina Watch Party
Tondy’s Tavern
Savannah
Sat., Feb. 27, 7 p.m.
A second-year Writing major from Savannah, Georgia, Jordan is one of two editors in charge of final edits, approving contents, and budgeting of stories for District and The Manor.
