At the 2014 Gubernatorial Showdown Thursday, members from the University of Wisconsin’s College Democrats and College Republicans went head-to-head on the upcoming election’s biggest issues.

The debate, moderated by UW political science professor Kenneth Mayer, covered issues including health care, the economy, environmental policy and education. 

In regard to health care, representatives were asked about Gov. Scott Walker’s rejection of funding from the Affordable Care Act.

Marie Jolly, College Republicans secretary, said Walker has provided monetary funding of safe havens for people that experienced mental abuse and took steps toward helping women who have suffered domestic violence.

Hayley Young, College Democrats chair, said while Walker has claimed successes for health care, he has failed to set up a health care exchange. Young criticized Walker’s approach to women’s health care citing that clinics in rural areas closed under his administration.

“People still have access to health care, but it is not thanks to Walker’s policies,” Young said.

She added Walker made health care more costly and less safe by rejecting federal funds.

The debate on the economy focused on job creation. They discussed Walker’s claim that he would create 250,000 more jobs in his first term, while only 100,000 jobs had been created.

Alex Schultz of College Democrats said a vote for Walker is another “four years of failure,” while a vote for Mary Burke is a vote for a “better, more prosperous work force.”

Ryan Grunwald of College Republicans said they should look at the progress that Walker made. Grunwald said unemployment is down to 5.5 percent, the lowest it has been this month since 2008 and the state was down 133,000 jobs before Walker came to office.

They also addressed education in terms of the state government’s responsibility for increasing the availability of higher education.

Alex Morgan of College Democrats, said while the tuition freeze has helped, it is not enough.

“We’ve seen a 10 percent rise in enrollment over the UW system, with budget cuts across UW Madison,” Morgan said. “Student segregated fees and housing funds have increased … college tuition is not where we need it to be. The real issue here is the tuition freeze is a stopgap measure.”

Charlie Hoffman, College Republicans president, said college tuition has been skyrocketing faster than inflation and Walker has advocated for a tuition freeze for the next two years.

“Students are graduating with huge amounts of debt, so Walker said that this is enough, let’s freeze tuition,” Hoffman said. “Burke’s policies don’t stop the issue of tuition, she hasn’t even addressed the tuition freeze, or what her cap is for tuition.”

In recognition of bipartisanship, representatives were asked what each thought the opposite party’s gubernatorial candidate did well.

Hoffman acknowledged Burke’s commitment to charity, especially the Boys and Girls Club. Young approved of Walker’s contribution and commitment to Autism Speaks.

Walker and Burke will face-off in a debate at 6:30 p.m. this Friday.