(The Beacon)
By Kelsey Thomas Staff Writer thomask15@up.edu
After one of the most closely contested ASUP presidential campaigns in UP history, sophomores Quinten Chadwick and vice presidential running mate Elvia Gaona sealed the race, receiving 51 percent of the student vote over sophomores John Julius Muwulya and his running mate Andrew Bosomworth.
45.2 percent of students voted in the runoff election, a two percent decrease from last week.
Sophomore Jesse Robinson swept the treasurer vote with 60.9 percent over junior Lane Ryan, who received 39.1 percent.
After receiving only 38.8 percent of the vote last week, sophomore Alysse Thomas campaigned hard Monday to defeat junior Kaile Erhart with 53.6 percent of the student vote.
Chadwick and Gaona said they plan to consistently connect with students and bring student concerns to the administration.
"I am extremely ecstatic and really happy to start this project and really have an influence on this school in a positive way," Chadwick said.
As senator this year, Gaona drafted Resolution 13-06, which recommends adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the Nondiscrimination Policy. Gaona said they will work hard as senators to get the resolution passed this semester.
"We don't want to let it sit and fade out over the summer," Gaona said. "We need to push to get it passed so that as soon as we are in office, we can really say, 'So how can we actually make sure that this is happening and
the atmosphere at the university is changing?'"
As secretary, Thomas plans to be a liaison between students and ASUP.
"I didn't know what ASUP was my entire freshman year," Thomas said. "I want to change that."
Robinson is relieved to be finished campaigning.
"Thank you for everyone who voted and everyone who put up with us all for the last few weeks," Robinsonsaid."Iamsohappyto be done annoying the crap out of people. It was getting to the point where I was even annoying myself."
Robinson summed up the feelings of all victorious ASUP candidates:
"I am so so stoked. I am so happy. I am so excited."
