Reps. Steve Pearce and Tom Udall are spending time at UNM to inform students of their positions on the problems America faces this election year.
Pearce, a Republican, said students should know he has their best interests at heart.
"Between my background, my knowledge and my passion for working for New Mexico, I am the candidate who will see that New Mexico and the United States fix our economy and that we move into this new generation with jobs for the future and hope for the future," he said.
Freshman Patrick Dylan, member of the College Republicans, said Pearce is capable of handling the economic crisis.
"He is an incredibly smart guy, and it really impressed me when he talked about foreign policy and the economy," he said. "The biggest lie is that Republicans started this financial crisis.... Pearce knows what he is talking about when it comes to economy, because he has a degree in economics and has run his own business."
Udall, Pearce's Democratic opponent, has said he plans to create more government jobs in New Mexico to boost the economy.
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"We need to work together to protect our federal jobs," he said. "We can start by building upon the critical national security role played by the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Sandia National Laboratories."
Sophomore Zoe Kolon said voters should investigate the candidates' platforms but that they should also get to know Udall and Pearce as people.
"After interning for Tom Udall, I think he is one of the more genuine politicians," she said. "I agree with a lot of his policies, and I am happy that he is very environmentally aware."
Dylan said meeting Pearce in person changed his perception of the candidate.
"I actually voted for Heather Wilson originally, because I didn't know Steve Pearce that well," Dylan said. "I later saw him at an event, and I talked to him personally and was able to get his opinion on a lot of the issues."
Pearce said his experience is a tremendous benefit when it comes to finding solutions for the U.S.'s problems.
"Our country is in a very hard time right now, with the economy, our military, our energy and environment," he said. "I have a background in business and economics. I was called to serve in Vietnam and I did, and in every problem that America is having right now, I have direct experience."
Senior Patti Zenneman said she is going to vote for Udall because he is a better leader.
"I think that he is the better representative for New Mexico when it comes to not only issues like energy and veterans benefits but for health care, too," she said. "Udall has a great plan for health care, and he is going to make it affordable for everyone."
Senior Heather Hall, vice president of College Republicans, said Udall's plans will raise taxes.
"I think that Udall has a lot of good ideas, but I think that raising taxes will only hurt our economy even more," she said.
Hall said Pearce's energy policy is one of the most attractive features of his platform.
"(Pearce) is pro-energy, as he wants to get us off foreign oil," she said. "We keep on sending money oversees to countries that don't like us, and instead Pearce wants to focus on a lot of different energy sources."
Udall supports investing in green energy and capping the use of electricity.
"We need to increase investment in clean, alternative energies, like wind, solar and geothermal power," he said. "I will continue to fight for more alternative energy funding in the U.S. Senate, because doing so will help bring down electricity, gas and food prices."
