With two-thirds of the vote, Senator Andres Vargas secured the Student Government presidency in a marathon Joint Senate meeting Thursday night.
Vargas will take office July 1, when the other SGA executive board members pass their torches.
“The two biggest passions in my life are my family and this organization,” Vargas said when asked what his biggest passion in life was from a fellow senator. “Execution is important. Things need to be executed like outreach events and direct elections.”
The elections started with opening statements from Parliam-entarian Daniel Quintal and Vargas, who were seeking the position of president. After two hours of questions and debate, Vargas, a junior political science major, was elected president with 42 votes, leaving Quintal behind with 18 votes. Two remaining votes were cast for no confidence.
The process by which the SGA executive board is elected consists of ballots distributed to about 60 senators and e-board members. The anonymous ballots are then collected and counted by SGA advisors.
In addition to the position of president, senators had the opportunity to run for five other e-board positions.
Candidate and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Erin McFadzen received 32 votes for the position of vice president for student affairs, 10 votes more than fellow candidate and Senator George Gottschalk. Six write-in votes and seven no confidence votes were also cast.
After opening statements and questions, the candidates were asked to leave the room while speakers for and against each candidate expressed their opinions as to who should be elected and why. Even though McFadzen, a sophomore sociology major, was elected, some SGA members said they saw flaws on both sides.
“I can see holes in both [candidates],” said Vice President for Student Affairs Allyson Savin.
The decision for vice president for academic affairs was the biggest landslide win of the night. Senator William Durkin won with 49 votes, beating opponent and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Kayne Bordes, who received six votes. Two write-in votes and five no confidence votes were also cast.
In his closing statement, Durkin, a sophomore international affairs major, said the organization needed a vice president with experience, and that he had proven himself and would bring fresh ideas to the organization. In her closing statement, Bordes tried to use her assistant vice president position as a deflection away from her freshman status, but was still unable to gain enough votes.
The fourth race of the night was the most contended race. Four candidates competed for the position of vice president for administration, and, with 28 votes, John Guilfoil won the position. Senator Ashley Adams came in second with 12 votes, followed by Senator Matthew Pietras with 11 votes. Senator William Haddad received eight votes.
“I transferred here from Westfield State College and quickly found my place in SGA,” Guilfoil, a sophomore criminal justice major, said.
Alison Barlow, a junior marketing major, ran uncontested for the office of vice president for financial affairs. After Barlow, who won with 30 votes and 13 no confidence votes, answered questions from other SGA members, she left the room as three members spoke for and against her.
All three of the speakers for Barlow said she would do a great job. However, the speakers said Vice President for Financial Affairs Michael Benson could not be replaced and urged members of the SGA to place write-in votes for the current VP against his wishes.
“I appreciate the support but I will not accept the nomination,” Benson said. “You have two choices here, you can vote for [Barlow] or you can vote no confidence.”
Despite Benson’s plea, he still received 11 write-in votes, adding some competition to what started out as an uncontested race.
The final SGA election of the night was for the position of vice president for student services. Incumbent Nicole Martino won with 34 votes against Senator Brittani Waldman, who received 19 votes. The two candidates also shared two no confidence votes.
Although Martino had served as assistant vice president for student services and is currently vice president for student services, Waldman won the support of two other e-board members. The other executive board members said they did not doubt Martino’s ability, but wanted to see a fresh face in the position.
Martino, a sophomore criminal justice major, said in her closing speech her heart and experience made her a worthwhile candidate.
“I have the passion, determination and knowledge for the position,” Martino said.
The first senate meeting with the new e-board will be held July 1.
