Sonia H. Kastner ’03, president of HCD, says the group, in cooperation with the Institute of Politics (IOP) is also planning a bus trip to New Hampshire on Sept. 28 to kick-off the group’s campaign effort.

Kastner says the trips would continue every Saturday until the general election and will provide support for several candidates involved in toughly contested races, including the senatorial race between Jeanne Shaheen (D) and John E. Sununu (R).

“This is going to be something that’s going to be unprecedented on campus,” Kastner says. “Working with the IOP, this is going to be one of the biggest campaign trips that this campus has seen in a long time.”

In addition, the HCD is planning on signing up groups to work three-hour evening shifts at the state party office in Boston during the weeks leading up to the general election. Kastner says students will make phone calls, arrange literature and organize mailings.

The Elephant Looms

W. Mitt Romney remains the lone Republican candidate in the gubernatorial race, but two candidates—Kerry M. Healey ’82 and Jim Rappaport—are contending for the lieutenant gubernatorial position.

Like HCD, the Harvard Republican Club (HRC) has chosen to remain officially neutral until after the primary.

“We haven’t been in town long enough where picking a side would make a difference,” says Brian C. Grech ’03, president of HRC.

However, Grech adds that the members of club are about evenly divided in supporting the two candidates for lieutenant governor.

Ernani J. Dearaujo ’03, speakers director for HRC, echoes the dilemma faced by many of the club’s members.

“I really respect Jim Rappaport for going to the grass-roots of the party here in Boston and state-wide,” he says. “But I and most Republicans feel that Kerry Murphy Healy would be the best addition to the ticket in terms of the general election.”

Both Grech and Dearaujo say that the HRC would make a strong effort to support Romney and as his as yet to be determined running mate, as well as candidates in the New Hampshire elections.

Little Man, Big Presence

While most candidates have lacked much active support on campus, Reich’s campaign has made its mark on the Harvard community—and it is the mark Harvard left on Reich that he claims inspired his run for governor.

In a packed Science Center auditorium filled with students, faculty and Cambridge residents on Friday, Reich told the crowd that questions about “political courage” asked of him in a Harvard religion class at which he lectured were a large factor in his decision to enter the gubernatorial race.