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James Orr defeats Baker for SGA presidency

Hammond, Mansfield complete full sweep of every college for party


Winning all six colleges, the Effective Connections Party swept the Student Government Association elections last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Effective Connections Party was spearheaded by president-elect James Orr and vice-president-elect Rachel Hammond. Rachel Mansfield, who ran unopposed for secretary-general, also represented Effective Connections.

Orr defeated UTMFirst Party candidate Sen. Tracy Baker by a margin of 502 to 159, or 76 percent of the votes cast for president. Hammond defeated UTMFirst candidate Sen. Rachel Albritton 488 to 167 for the vice-presidency.

Mansfield accumulated 616 votes in her unopposed race for secretary-general.

Write-in ballots were cast, but The Pacer was unable to obtain those records as of press time.

About 680, or 10 percent of eligible voters, voted in last week’s elections.

UTMFirst failed to win a single college in any Executive Council race. “I’m extremely happy with the results,” President-Elect Orr said. “Our key to success was that we stood for the student body, and I want to fight for the students,” he said.

Orr stated that the Executive Council, which will be composed entirely of Effective Connections members, and the Senate will be “extremely united.”

Orr also said SGA and SAC will work more closely together in the future.

Baker said that she does not plan on participating in SGA this year after her unsuccessful bid for the presidency, but she does wish the new administration luck.

“Obviously I’m disappointed, but I hope that what’s best for the students works out and that next year’s administration comes through with their promises,” Baker said.

Winners will be sworn in at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday.

In the Senate races:

Sergio Bustillo (Effective Connections) (75), Rebecca Dailey (UTMFirst) (38) and Tianita Duke (18) will represent the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences in the Senate. C.W. West, who took 12 votes, did not make the top three cut needed to win a seat. Lindsey Sutherland (Effective Connections) (98), Jeremy Johnson (64), Laura Harber (59) and Erin Smith (12) will represent the College of Humanities and Fine Arts in Senate.

Jake Dunavant (Effective Connections) (102), Chris Cherry (Effective Connections) (89), Anthony Lindsey (75) and Josh Jones (73) will represent the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Lacee North (Effective Connections) (70), Kevin Anderson (47), Katie Mercuri (41) and Emre Serbest (31) will represent the College of Business and Public Affairs in SGA Senate.

Keely Gaylord (88), Kimberly Armstrong (85), Erin Chambers (UTMFirst) (81), Eric Rivera (UTMFirst) (80), Harrison Woodard (UTMFirst) (69) and Bonike Akinsanyo (66) were elected to Senate for the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Ryan Mouser garnered nine votes and will represent the College of Bachelor of University Studies and New College in Senate.

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James Orr (above) defeated UTMFirst Party candidate Sen. Tracy Baker by a margin of 502 to 159, or 76 percent of the votes cast for president.