On Tuesday, voters from every corner of Alabama will head to the polls to cast their ballots in a momentous election. In the next four years, the state will face deep budget deficits, including education budgets that will leave schools across the state facing record proration.  Thousands of Alabamians, including many recent college graduates, will be searching for jobs.

Through these challenging times, Alabama needs a leader who will tackle wasteful spending in state government, keep taxes low to grow small businesses and boost the economy, and create Alabama jobs for the 9.3 percent of our state’s workforce that currently lacks employment. That leader is Dr. Robert Bentley, the Republican candidate for governor.

Alabama needs widespread ethics reform. Just three weeks ago, four state legislators were indicted and charged with taking money in exchange for their support of gambling legislation.  Anyone who has walked the halls of our state capitol can see the filthy and undue influence that special interests have on state government.

Dr. Bentley offers voters a unique candidate who will stand up to powerful Montgomery lobbyists by working to pass a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers. He also supports requiring full disclosure of all money that lobbyists spend in regards to legislators. Under his leadership, we can expect to see a cleaner, more ethical state government.

Dr. Bentley also understands that a lottery and legalized gambling are not the only solutions for the state’s economic problems. While he doesn’t personally believe in legalizing gambling, he vocally supports allowing the people of Alabama to vote on the issue. By supporting this vote, he will allow the people of Alabama to choose once and for all whether to allow gambling in the state.

If elected, Dr. Bentley would be the first governor since 1983 to have previous experience serving in the Alabama state legislature. The importance of this experience can’t be emphasized enough. Dr. Bentley’s relationships with current legislators could make the difference in whether certain pieces of legislation pass. And, as the state legislature is set to be controlled by Republicans for the first time in 136 years, Bentley’s collegial relationships with the members of his party in the legislature will surely result in an efficient legislative process that will improve Alabama for years to come.

This election provides a clear contrast between two candidates. One candidate, Democrat Ron Sparks, wants to throw together quick fixes like an education lottery, while another candidate, Dr. Bentley, understands the value of hard work and wants to solve the chronic problem of joblessness in our state. Robert Bentley is a rare breed in politics today. Coming from near last in the polls to snag the Republican nomination against the establishment favorite, Dr. Bentley truly is an outsider who will shake up Montgomery.

I urge you to research the candidates and vote.  Elections are important, and they have a lasting impact. The problems we face are too severe for voters to stay home on Election Day.

So do your part, and let your voice be heard. Decisions are made by those who show up, and on Nov. 2 I urge you to go to the polls and cast your vote for Dr. Robert Bentley.

CadeAnn Smith is a senior majoring in criminal justice and political science. She is chair of the College Republicans.