By Amanda Alfanos, Web Editor
Emma Velez
Two sophomores were elected to contested executive positions with Student Government Association.
Emma Velez, political science/philosophy sophomore, and Sarah Cook, not-for-profit sophomore, were elected as president and vice president of SGA, said Dee Llanusa, coordinator of student activities.
The students won by a majority vote, but results are not yet finalized, Llanusa said.
“If someone has any valid reason to contest the results of the election, they have 48 hours to do that before the results can become final,” she said.
Velez, current sophomore at-large senator, beat Jeff Poulin, entertainment business junior, for the presidential seat.
“I’m so excited to serve the students,” said Velez, who also is co-chairwoman for Relay For Life. “I was in a Relay For Life meeting when I found out.”
Velez said she spent about $100 on campaign materials, mainly for fliers. Her campaign included social media video interaction, but she said the most effective way of campaigning was meeting students in person.
“I talked with organizations big and small,” she said.
Poulin, who spent less than $90 on campaign materials, said he is uncertain of his involvement with SGA next year.
“Time will tell,” he said.
Cook, who serves as president pro-tempore and Greek senator for Student Senate, competed against Justin Blumer, first-year law/business graduate.
She said she looks forward to working with Velez and Marcus Sams, mass communications junior, who ran uncontested for president of Student Activities Council.
“I think it will be really good,” she said. “We’ve worked really well together in the past.”
Cook said she spent no more than $50 on her campaign.
Blumer, who said he spent “next to nothing” on his campaign, said Cook’s leadership within Senate is apparent.
“I think either way, whether I won or not, you couldn’t go wrong with the candidates,” he said.
More students than ever voted in the election, said John Riesenberg, current SGA president. Seven-hundred twelve students voted, he said.
Administrators declined to disclose numbers of students voting for each candidate, but they said the races were close.
In other news:
- Nathan Dunn and Clayton Puckett were elected to the contested sophomore at-large seat. Madi Alexander, Oxford plan freshman, was not elected.
- Robin Ladd, political science/philosophy sophomore, beat German Martinez, political science sophomore, for the social sciences seat.
- All other legislative seats were uncontested. Click here to view the filing list.
Check back at MediaOCU.com for updates.
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