With a recent tuition hike, skyrocketing gas prices and an economic crisis, Americans are paying close attention  to the upcoming November election, which includes electing a U.S. senator from Louisiana. Sen. Mary Landrieu, Democratic incumbent, is seeking her third term as U.S. Senator while John Kennedy, Louisiana’s Republican treasurer, is seeking his first. They will face off in four debates in October, including an Oct. 12 debate at 7 p.m. in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes.Landrieu said, if elected, she plans to ensure the “student loan market stays sound” and make sure higher education institutes have a “transparent loan program” available to help them maintain functions in the wake of natural disasters.Landrieu said she recently cosponsored the Higher Education Opportunities Act.The Higher Education Opportunities Act “significantly reduced the cost of loans and the cost of textbooks for Louisiana students,” Landrieu told The Daily Reveille on Wednesday.Chuck Fontenot, president of College Republicans, called Landrieu’s efforts “admirable,” but doubted she would not raise taxes amid the current “economic situation.””John Kennedy understands that it isn’t about party affiliation — it’s about helping the people out in Louisiana,” Fontenot said.Kennedy said he has worked to increase Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust Program, Louisiana’s college savings program. He said the total deposits have gone up from $1.4 million in 1999 to about $190 million.”I’ve tried to stand with the taxpayers so that we’ll have enough money to fund the real essentials, one of which is college education,” Kennedy told The Daily Reveille on Wednesday.Kennedy said the government would have enough money to fund higher education without raising tuition if it would not “waste taxpayer money.””You always have more demands with your money than you have money,” he said.Kevin Guillory, president of College Democrats, said he supports Landrieu because of her previous Senate experience.”She has been able to bring in such a large amount of funding after Hurricane Katrina,” Guillory said. “We need someone with senior leadership that can help provide for rebuilding our state.”Kennedy said he spent most of Hurricane Gustav volunteering in the PMAC.”I thought Governor [Bobby] Jindal did a lot better than Governor [Kathleen] Blanco,” Kennedy said. “I was pleased not only with the planning but with the execution.”—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]