By News Staff

Marines Piney, one of the two candidates running for Student Government Association (SGA) president, dropped out of the race at Monday night’s Senate meeting. She announced her decision to the student body at the start of a Northeastern News-sponsored presidential debate at the Fenway Center.

“Unfortunately, after giving my candidacy close consideration I have decided to suspend my bid and my campaign for the presidency,” said Piney, the SGA vice president for student affairs. “I stand by all the issues I was campaigning for and will continue to work with the organization to make sure these goals are fulfilled.”

Piney, a middler history and political science double major, called her campaign “a very exciting and fulfilling time,” but did not elaborate on why she withdrew from the race.

The SGA rules committee, chaired by parliamentarian Grant Oberg, met after the debate and voted to reopen nominations for president until 8:45 Tuesday night.

At the debate, which turned into a town hall-style meeting, Rob Ranley, the remaining candidate, said he would welcome an additional challenger, but would continue to campaign aggressively whether or not he has an opponent.

“I’ll be moving forward with my campaign as if I were running against the most incredible candidate,” said Ranley, a junior finance major and the SGA vice president for financial affairs.

SGA senators may submit nominations via e-mail to either Oberg or current SGA president Joey Fiore.