This year’s Georgetown University Student Association executive race began with five tickets bidding for the top GUSA offices, but by Wednesday night’s debate in Sellinger Lounge, only three remained.
The candidates are Steve Palmese (MSB ‘04) and Tim Nunziata (MSB ‘04), Brian Morgenstern (CAS ‘05) and Steve de Man (CAS ‘04) and Rob Hutton (SFS ‘04) and Nazareth Haysbert (CAS ‘05).The campaigns began at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. Voting will take place on Monday until 8 p.m. Results will be announced at 9 p.m.
John Gahbauer (CAS ‘04) and Kyle Brown (CAS ‘04) dropped out of the race on Monday Feb. 10, and Josh Waller (CAS ‘04) and Jackie Jeys (CAS ‘04) dropped out of the race on Monday, Feb. 17.
Elections Commissioner Ramya Murali (SFS ‘03) said that the two slates dropping out was unfortunate. “The more tickets that we have, the more competition we have. And that’s good for the race.”
The debate on Wednesday night attracted about 100 students who came to hear candidates discuss their platforms.
Kyle Brown, a vice-presidential candidate who dropped out of the race, voiced concerns about the way election rules are followed.
“The rules are much too complex and favor insiders. The way it’s set up makes it difficult for outsiders to launch a campaign,” he said.
Brown specifically commented on e-mail and flyering regulations. For example, flyers can not be posted until campaigning begins, but candidates could potentially write campaign materials on a chalkboard without violating the rules.
“The campaign is about who can violate the rules and not get caught,” Brown said.
Brown claimed the election commissioners are restricted by the rules from doing their jobs.
Murali said the weather did change election procedures.
“I think the snow actually works out better for the candidates because they can campaign door to door,” Murali said.
The other ticket, Waller-Jeys, decided to drop out of the race based on the weather, said Waller.
The campaign’s staff was unable to return to campus because of the snow, Waller said. “We were outgunned if we stayed in. It was a decision based on practicality and pragmatism,” he said.
Murali said that so far the candidates had been cooperative.
One of the remaining tickets, Hutton-Haysbert, has acquired ten dollars in fines.
Hutton said a five-dollar fine was levied on his ticket after a member of his campaign’s staff sent an e-mail to a campus organization. The e-mail was sent to GU Pride, requesting a time to speak to the group.
Hutton’s Campaign Manager Luis Torres (SFS ‘05) said he was responsible for sending another e-mail that resulted in a $5 fine.
“I in no way intended to override the election rules. It was a simple lapse of judgement and I take full responsibility,” Torres said.
According to the GUSA election byrules, candidates are not allowed to send e-mails regarding the campaign unless these e-mails are in response to a received e-mail, an e-mail intended for someone working for the campaign or an e-mail sent to the election commission.
