This election cycle has been bitter and divisive. The last debate showcased ugly language and personal attacks that have no place in a presidential forum; a deluge of leaks, ranging from emails to tapes, has shown Americans who their candidates are behind closed doors. Both mainstream candidates and third party alternatives have continually been forced to justify gaffes, offensive language and scandals on the campaign trail. From the early days of the primary to today, less than a month until Nov. 8, this has proved to be an election season like no other.

After the nearly constant mudslinging and abundant controversies this past year, we at The Sun believe there is only one candidate capable of serving as our nation’s commander in chief. We endorse Hillary Clinton for the presidency. We endorse her not only because of a dearth of serious candidates this election cycle, but in acknowledgement of her long history of dedicated, sincere and impactful public service.

When it comes to protecting the rights of Americans regardless of race, religion, gender or class, Clinton has demonstrated her commitment to the cause. Besides the fact that she would be the country’s first female president, she has championed women’s rights by advocating for equal pay, and worked as a lawyer and first lady on passing legislation behalf of children. Furthermore, she, like Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick ’09, supports embracing refugees. In an interview with NBC, Clinton said in her first term as president, she would take in 65,000 refugees, helping to alleviate the worldwide refugee crisis.

Clinton’s values stand in sharp contrast to those of the Republican nominee, Donald J. Trump, who has repeatedly expressed racist, Islamophobic and misogynist tendencies. A vote for the Trump, Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) ticket is a vote for legislated hate, targeting substantial portions of the American populace. This bigotry has become appallingly apparent in the release of the Trump tape, the candidate’s proposed “extreme vetting” of Muslims as well as Pence’s abysmal record on social issues as a governor. In considering the future of the United States’ Supreme Court, immigration and foreign policy, it becomes increasingly clear that many Americans simply cannot afford to live in Trump’s America.

Only one candidate this fall embodies the strong egalitarian and progressive tradition of Cornell University. Many students will be participating in their first presidential election this November. As voter registration deadlines approach, we at The Sun urge our fellow Cornellians to participate in and preserve our democracy by casting a ballot for Hillary Clinton.