University of Idaho’s student body voted seven senators into next semester’s ASUI Senate. Around 1,300 Vandals voted — nearly 13 percent of the total UI student body. The end result for some senators was a difference of just 12 votes.
“That’s a separation that we’re talking about,” said Shawn O’Neal, director of student involvement. “Close election, strong candidates.”
Senators elected for spring 2017 included Cait Bowyer, Briggs Jackson, Bailey Morris, Maria Meza, Lindsey LaPrath, Catherine Yenne and Clayton Zimmerman.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity to represent the U of I and the student body in more ways than just through my classes or college,” Morris said. “This is my first time becoming a senator.”
Bruce Berry, Dustin Fox and Michael Lejardi were three candidates that fell short of winning the popular vote.
“To the three of you, I would say there are other avenues to be involved in … that I would encourage you to pursue,” Sen. Tanner Beymer said. “It’s a very rewarding experience.”
O’Neal said these elections have heavy Greek voter turn-outs, and that often sways who wins.
Spring of this year, about 24 percent of students voted, O’Neal said. O’Neal congratulated ASUI Elections Coordinator Taylor Falk and the candidates for running effective campaigns and reaching out to students on campus.
“For this campaign, I mostly just used word-of-mouth and talked to people around campus,” Morris said.
The campaigns are pretty independent, O’Neal said, and ASUI provides open forums for candidates and encourages them to reach out to people.
“If the (candidates) come to me for help I’m totally willing to help them to say, “Put yourself out there,’” O’Neal said. “It’s networking, it’s talking and getting your message out.”
ASUI Vice President Kelsey Briggs said she knows almost everyone who ran a campaign and attended the open forums.
“There is not a senator who made it that I was disappointed in,” Briggs said. “Great people running, you really couldn’t have gone wrong with the candidates. I think the senate gained seven new, fabulous senators.”
O’Neal said ASUI’s goal is to treat everyone with kindness, and when conflict arises to always maintain a respectful demeanor.
Briggs said through the senators’ time in office they will learn to push legislation while supporting one another.
“We just all work together, it’s symbiotic,” O’Neal said. “Even the ones that didn’t get in should be proud and they ran good campaigns.”
Beymer said ASUI deals with real issues and the members are demanded to come up with real solutions.
“It’s important in this role that people live up to what they’re saying,” Sen. Danny Bugingo said. “I think that actual action is more important than anything, than any resolution.”
Catherine Keenan can be reached at [email protected]