Students for Sherrod kicked off this week, with the president of Kent State College Democrats co-leading the effort with the president of College Democrats of Ohio.

The objective of the statewide campaign is to build grassroots support for the re-election Ohio Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. The group wants to advise the Brown campaign on student issues and “speak to students across the state about Sherrod’s work to improve education for Ohioans of all ages,” according to the senator’s website.

Bryan Staul, president of KSU College Democrats, said that Students for Sherrod’s primary intention is to solidify the young vote in Brown’s favor by visiting colleges and high schools throughout Ohio.

“The most important thing we are trying to do is get students to vote, vote, vote,” Staul said. “We’re focusing on college and older high school students making the case for Brown’s extensive record benefiting students, cutting out waste and providing education for veterans … He’s one of the last strong progressive candidates and one of the last middle class advocates.”

Sadie Weiner, press secretary of Friends of Sherrod Brown, said she believes Brown’s track record exemplifies his support for students in Ohio, and she’s excited for the campaign to get going.

“We encourage all Ohio students to learn more about Sherrod’s work on their behalf, and join the effort on the Students for Sherrod Facebook page,” Weiner said. “[Brown] is currently fighting to block an interest rate hike for Stafford loans that could be double the current rate and believes the current 3.4 percent interest rate should be made permanent.”

Sherrod Brown, who will be up against Josh Mandel, R-Ohio, in the 2012 elections, said in a press release that he is a strong advocate for affordable education and easy access to state-funded financial aid and that he welcomes Staul and Students for Sherrod to his campaign.

“The most important investment we can make is in our children’s future, and we must create the opportunities and environment that will give them the best chance to prosper and succeed,” Brown said in a press release. “I am honored to have the support of these two students and campus leaders, as well as many others, who are ready to stand with me and fight for students across Ohio.”

Contact Christina Suttles at [email protected].