SGA hopefuls begin campaign, three teams vie for top spot

Campaignin for Student Government Association offices began this week. 

Signs went up on campus immediately following Sunday's filing day meeting, said Jonathan Murray, SGA election commissioner.

"The rule is the campaign cannot begin before the end of the filing day meeting," Murray said.  "It was exciting to see that virtually the minute the meeting ended, candidates were pulling out their cell phones to give instructions about placing their signs. Seeing that kind of enthusiasm made me feel good about what I am doing."

Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Murphy filed to run for student body president.

"Filing fees were collected and the election commissioner, Jonathan Murray, went over the rules with all of us," Murphy said.   "We also went over how names were to appear on the official ballots."  

Murray said he warned candidates that the rules would be strictly enforced this year, and there would be consequences for anyone caught cheating. He plans to make the information public if any candidate is caught cheating.

Murray said three teams filed as candidates for student body president and vice president.  The teams were Randall Tomblin and Josh Sime, Joseph Stefanov and Raymond Cousins, and Patrick Murphy and Samantha Turley.

Students filing to run for senatorial positions attended the meeting.  Murray said he expects more than one race to be hotly contested.

Students need to get involved in the election process and take the time to educate themselves about the candidates and their respective platforms, Murray said.

"The best way for students to educate themselves is to attend the debates," Murray said.  "We are holding three debates this year, rather than the usual two. We have scheduled them in three different locations and at different times of the day in an attempt to make it convenient for students to attend."

The first debate was at 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Marshall Recreational Center for presidential candidates only.  The vice presidential candidates will debate at 9 p.m. March 10 in the First Year Residence Hall North.  The final debate will take place at 1 p.m. March 15 in the Memorial Student Center and will feature the presidential candidates along with their vice presidential running mates.

The SGA elections will take place March 16 and 17.

 Alyssa Salyers can be contacted at salyersa@marshall.edu.