Students' Rights wins no seats in election
Coalition had 10 students run
Published on Fri., April 13th, 2007
Johnathan Wilson and Caitlin Ballard awaited anxiously with approximately 10 Students’ Rights senator nominees at El Mezcal on 23rd Street for the Student Senate announcements.
After a large AMP energy drink, Wilson, Paola sophomore and Students’ Rights presidential nominee, said that his heart was racing and that he was extremely nervous. Ballard, Overland Park junior and vice-presidential nominee, agreed.
Going into it, I thought we could have a chance to get elected, but I knew we were up against fierce competition.
-Johnathan Wilson, Paola sophomore
“After everything you’ve sacrificed, it all comes down to a one-minute announcement,” Ballard said.
The radio wasn’t audible where the group was sitting, but after frantic cellular phone calls, the word came in — the Students’ Rights nominees didn’t win any seats in the senate. United Students won the president and vice-president seats, and Delta Force and United Students occupied all of the remaining senate seats.
Wilson became silent. Ballard said she was not surprised by the results, but was still proud of their accomplishments.
Ballard said she hoped the newly elected Student Senate would use Students’ Rights platform about a textbook rental program.
“I just want it to be done, even if it’s not by me,” Ballard said.
Ballard said that it was hard being a smaller third party, but they hoped to be around a long time to gain more name recognition and respect.
Wilson said he was upset with the results, but, like Ballard, was not surprised.
“Going into it, I thought we could have a chance to get elected, but I knew we were up against fierce competition,” Wilson said.
With only 15 senators on their ticket and no budget, Wilson said it made it difficult to win office. Both candidates said they sacrificed a lot for the campaign.
“It’s not all for nothing, though,” Wilson said. “We established a name.”
Ballard was positive that her Senate involvement was not finished. She said that she and Wilson still wanted to have an influence on the student community.
“You haven’t seen the last of us,” Ballard said.
Kansan staff writer Danae DeShazer can be contacted at ddeshazer@kansan.com.
— Edited by Will McCullough
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