Anxiously awaiting election results for the second time in two weeks, Undergraduate Student Government presidential candidates Jacob Goulding and Brendan Corrigan stood in front of Old Main on the Tempe campus Wednesday afternoon.With about 50 students looking on, Goulding was announced as the winner of the 2010 USG runoff election, after capturing 58 percent of the vote.
Overall, 3,448 students voted in the runoff.
“I’m at a loss for words right now,” he said shortly after the announcement. “I feel great. We worked really hard and it paid off. This is not only a victory for us, but for everyone who supported us all along.”
Despite the excitement, Goulding acknowledged that next year will be a lot of work, but said he’s ready to jump right in.
“We want to start following through on our platform and be a voice for the students,” he said. “We know what works in student government and we know what doesn’t, so we’re going to hit it hard right away.”
Among the first items on Goulding’s agenda is to select representatives for the numerous appointed executive positions.
As of Wednesday, Goulding said he and his running mates, vice president of policy-elect Michael Wong and vice president of services-elect Tina Mounlavongsy, had not discussed appointing Corrigan or anyone else.
Corrigan said he still looks forward to fighting for students as a part of USG or otherwise.
“I cannot thank the thousands of supporters we had that helped us get so far in the race,” Corrigan said. “Keep your heads up, and know … we will always have the ability to make a difference.”
By the start of next semester, Goulding said that as president his first priority will be to improve communication between USG and the student body.
“Without that, we can’t deliver on the rest of our platform,” he said.
Goulding’s platform includes fighting tuition and fee increases, creating a system to disclose class information prior to registration, establishing a six-credit internship program to train student lobbyists, expanding the health center; establishing a 24-hour guest parking pass program and expanding the free Safety Escort Service.
Current USG president Brendan O’Kelly said the organization will be in good hands next year.
“I’m excited for Goulding to get started, and I think it was a good campaign all around for both sides,” he said. “They definitely have a lot of work to do … but I think they will do a great job.”
Reach the reporter at keshoult@asu.edu
