Colorful campaign paraphernalia plastered on storefronts, houses and cars shows that the race is on - for governor. For the first time in 20 years, Michigan voters have the chance to elect a new, non-incumbent governor Nov. 6. But first, voters will have to narrow the candidate roster from five to two.

As the Aug. 6 primary elections draw near, gubernatorial candidates and their staffs are working overtime to distinguish themselves from their same-party opponents.

Following are the candidates' positions on issues most relevant to University students.

POSTHUMUS

Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, who leads the polls for the Republican party nomination, is the longest serving Senate Majority Leader in Michigan history. Posthumus has taken a "no new-tax pledge."

"He will continue to cut taxes in these tough economic times to help working families and students about to enter the job market," campaign spokesman Sage Eastman said. He also said Posthumus believes cutting taxes will allow businesses to expand, which will create more jobs, further stimulating the economy.

Eastman said Posthumus has pledged to fight tuition hikes by employing incentive-based initiatives to control rates and even said he is willing to propose a controversial constitutional cap on tuition increases as a last resort.

"What good is having the best university in the country if families can't afford to send their kids there?" Eastman said.

Another issue that hits home for University students is policies regarding the use of race in admissions. Posthumus is the only candidate who does not support the use of race in admissions policies.

"(Posthumus) does not support (the University's) case because he doesn't believe you should use race, color or creed in admissions," Eastman said.

"Instead, he supports affirmative opportunities, where you target funds and opportunities on a K-12 system to help out in higher education."

Posthumus supported Gov. Engler's decision not to spend any of the state's more than $400 million annual payment from tobacco companies on smoking cessation or prevention programs. Instead, he said he would continue to support using the money to fund Michigan Merit Award college scholarships for students who achieve high scores on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program test.

SCHWARZ

Senator John "Joe" Schwarz of Battle Creek, a University alum, is also running for the Republican nomination. Serving in the State Senate for 16 years, he is currently the vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee and a ranking member of the community health and higher education subcommittee.

Schwarz advocates stricter gun control and a women's right to choose. He has repeatedly condemned the current state Republican party, saying it is not meeting the people's needs.

Health care is also a top priority for Schwarz, a physician. He wants to establish a program to give free healthcare for children in lower poverty levels.

"The most worrisome group is the working-class group, where neither they can afford nor can their employer afford to have insurance for them," Schwarz told The Daily in April.

Schwarz opposed a Senate bill a few months ago that gave funding priority to health care clinics that do not provide abortions.

"You can't just exclude one organization because they give advice on an issue. I think it's inappropriate for the legislature to dictate by dollars that those dollars be spent on one organization and exclude others," Schwarz said in May. "It's ideological and that's why we really shouldn't be involved."

Schwarz is in favor of postponing the single business tax and state income tax reductions to raise revenue for state programs. He also advocated the recent cigarette tax, saying it was a choice between raising the tax or less education funding.

"It's better than cutting other programs. No amount of cuts can cover a billion without decimating state services," he said earlier. "There are some other options out there, but they're not very pretty."

BLANCHARD

Former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard is also running for the Democratic party nomination and has faced many questions as to why, after serving as governor for two terms and congressman for four terms, he's up for another race.

Spokesman Erik Mueller said Blanchard's affinity for Michigan is his key motivating factor.

"He loves the state, and he's not going to sit back and watch the downslide of Michigan. He truly believes he's the candidate for change, especially because he's not beholden to special interests like the other candidates," Mueller said.

The most important issue in Blanchard's campaign is the economy. Like Granholm, Blanchard also believes in raising unemployment benefits and has designed a new economic plan to revamp the system to stimulate the slowing economy.