Mahone and Blackmer win uncontested election with 90 percent of votes
Sworn in Monday night at the Bovee University Center Rotunda, Chuck Mahone and Maggie Blackmer were elected to serve as Student Government Association president and vice president for the 2015-16 school year.
Out of about 20,000 enrolled on-campus students, 686 votes were cast in the election this year. Of that number, 89.65 percent casted their ballot in favor of Mahone and Blackmer.
“Throughout re-running I received almost daily, 'Why do I want to (run for SGA President) again?'” Mahone said. “For me, the answer was very simple: it’s because I’m not satisfied. I’m not satisfied with where our organization currently is and I want to see it continuously rise.”
Mahone cited the apathy of students on campus concerning SGA and campus affairs, as well as apathy from administration concerning student affairs, as a major reason for him to run again.
“I’m not satisfied with the fact that although we raise our voices loud and clear and sent proposal after proposal, we have still not heard back from the university (on a) funding increase,” Mahone said.
Blackmer joked that despite the “tough competition” in the race, the two were excited to begin their service to the student body immediately.
“We’re excited to bring our platform points, and many ideas (that) have been gathered during this campaign season, into effect,” Blackmer said. “It is truly an opportunity that (Chuck and I) will not take lightly.”
Platform points for Mahone and Blackmer include getting larger desks for students in classrooms, establishing longer hours at the Charles V. Park Library and making room scheduling easier for registered student organizations.
House member Autumn Killop said after hearing Mahone’s speech, she knew she made the right choice in voting for him.
“I really paid attention to Chuck this year and saw all of the great work he’s done,” Killop said. “(Mahone and former vice president Mariah Urueta) had goals, and they accomplished them. They were excited to express (their goals), they were excited to reach (their goals), and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Chuck this year and I wanted to be able to see him do it all over again.”
Students not in SGA, like Commerce senior Stephen Bollinger, was excited to see what Mahone and Blackmer would have in store for the coming semester as president and vice president.
Being able to serve two consecutive terms, Bollinger believes that Mahone will be in a unique position to continue working on anything he was unable to accomplish during his previous presidency.
"Just hearing his inaugural speech, I look forward to what he (will do) as president again," Bollinger said. "I know lots of times it seems that the student body president only has one year in office and half the year might be spent learning (about their position) where (Mahone) already knows what to do and will hopefully be able to push the bar even further with what he plans on doing."
Mahone said he could not be happier with the turnout.
“For all of you who voted for us – we will show you that your trust has not been misplaced,” Mahone said. “I would say that I am going to be excited to get back to work, but in all honesty, we haven’t stopped so what I will say is thank you all so much (for electing us).”
