New faces entering ASOSU election, some drop out

That’s right children. It’s time to talk ASOSU elections again. And there have been some delicious developments this week, and I’m not talking about the two boxes of Girl Scout cookies I ate.

NEW FACES IN, LONERS OUT

Brett Deedon and Victoria Redman

Sources inside ASOSU have told me that Deedon and Redman are planning a presidential run this year. Deedon has served as executive secretary this year, getting the cabinet position after his unsuccessful speaker of the house campaign against Jacob Vandever. Redman served on the Student and Incidental Fees Committee this year and served in the senate.

This could be an interesting ticket — both are intelligent and competent people — but I’m having a hard time envisioning what constituency groups are going to be attracted to them. I guess you could say the Greek community, but with Brendan Sanders and Jacob Vandever already looking to split that vote, I’m not sure how many they are going to get. Also add in that they have been below the radar this year, and a serious run for them is going to be hard and uphill. My guess is they get around 300 votes in the primary, eliminating them.

Jackson Lille and Robert Ohanesian

These two men ran an unsuccessful campaign last year, losing in the primaries, but are back on the ballot again. They are complete outsiders to ASOSU, but this fresh perspective could make for an interesting administration.

Gathering most of their strength from connections in the residence halls and in the Christian co-ops and youth groups, they could be a contender this year if they are better organized and campaign hard. However, I don’t see them reaching voters beyond those specific groups, and getting only 400 or so votes in the primary, thus losing.

Mousa Diabat

Diabat used to be in senate last spring until he had an outburst at a meeting once. He resigned a week later and has been out of ASOSU this year.

A savvy grad student who speaks his mind, he could bring maturity and intelligence to the office. However, he has shown he has a temper and his unwillingness to compromise at times could make him a challenge to work with.

My guess is he, together with his running mate — I’m not sure of his or her identity yet — will draw votes from grad students, especially members of the Coalition of Graduate Employees. Combined with some outreach to the cultural centers and he could be a dark horse to win the primaries, I see him getting around 550 votes.

Jeffrey Evans

As of last night, Evans still hadn’t filled out paperwork and word is he can’t find a running mate. I’m sure the big wigs on the sixth floor of Kerr are jumping up and down and high-fiving each upon hearing this one.

Drew Deatherage

Deatherage can’t find a running mate either. Maybe another year of biding his time and gathering supporters will be good for him.

SWITCHING UP THE TICKET, FINDING THAT MATE

Lexie Merrill and Jacob Vandever

Sources close to the campaign and election officials have told me that Merrill will now be the presidential candidate, with Vandever taking the VP role. This is smart, and what I have already said should happen in columns.

She will make a far more interesting presidential candidate than Vandever, and will get the ticket a larger chance of beating the other tickets.

However, I don’t think this switcheroo is going to pay off in that many more votes. Merrill as the lead may draw a few more female voters, but with the Greek vote now split between a few candidates, and Diabat taking a larger share of the grad student vote, I’m not seeing them advancing beyond the primaries, getting no more than 375 votes.

Josh Smith

Ladies and Gentlemen: It looks like Josh Smith is in. While he had been looking at a run next year, it appears a running mate with similar ideas reached out to him and he is now looking to enter the race.

“I haven’t decided for sure whether I will be running but I think it will be a great experience if I choose to enter the race,” Smith said.

Barring a natural disaster, the second coming or the zombie apocalypse, I don’t see how he could possibly lose this election. This soccer playing, chemical engineering phenom could bring a completely new way of doing things to the drab rooms of Snell Hall, which in some ways could be good for the organization. However, his lack of ASOSU experience could prove to be a handicap, and many have been quick to point out that just because he is smart and athletic, doesn’t mean he will make a good president.