Student election results go Boom

The Boom slate dominated the ASUNM elections Wednesday, with president, vice president and seven senators voted into office.

Incumbent President Brittany Jaeger from Boom was re-elected, receiving 44 percent of the votes. Her opponents, Craig Burgess and Tobias Major, received 35 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

Seven of the 10 senate slots were filled by Boom, with the other three slots filled by Voice slate.

Andrea Roussel, elected as vice president, won by a narrow margin.

Roussel received 42 percent of the vote, while Matt Beck from Voice received 41 percent of the vote.

Jaeger said she is excited to work with Roussel.

"I was very pleased with my vice president this year, and I am extremely pleased with my new vice president," she said. "They are completely different people, but they are both wonderful."

The Boom slate was successful because of volunteers and unity among the candidates, she said.

"We always promoted the entire slate," she said. "I never once said, 'Vote for Brittany,' but I said, 'Vote for the Boom slate.'"

This year's election was not an easy one, she said.

"There was extremely tough competition that came from both slates, as well as the independents," she said. "They were definitely out in force today."

There were more candidates running in this year's election than the past two years, with 32 senate candidates, three vice presidential candidates and three presidential candidates.

Students voted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through eight polling locations, including the SUB, Zimmerman Library and Dane Smith Hall.

Nas Manole, election chairman, said a little more than 1,600 students cast their votes in Wednesday's

election. Last spring, about 1,500 students voted.

Student Allen Paquin said he went to the polls for one reason.

"Change," Paquin said.

He voted for the Progressive Action Coalition slate, he said, because he was upset over the possible tuition hike and lack of minority support on campus.

"The president I voted for represents minority needs," he said, referring to Major.

No candidates from the PAC slate were voted into office.

Major said Boom was tough competition.

"Those guys hit hard today," he said. "They had a lot of people out there today, and they had a lot of people working in their group."

Major said he hopes Jaeger represents the students of the University next year.

"People were upset the way she was running, and that's why so many people were trying to get into office," he said. "It's up to her to make a difference."

UNM student Jenny Gibson said she didn't vote for one particular slate. Instead, Gibson said she voted for the candidates she knew would do the best job.

"There are a lot of good people running," she said.

Burgess said the vote spoke for students.

"I think the student body voted the way they felt was needed," he said. "I think they elect the people they want to represent them in the student government, and that is a good thing."

Burgess said the Voice slate proved to be a success by electing three of their senators in office.

Burgess said Jaeger will serve her term well.

"I felt she had a solid year this year," he said. "With a second year, she will shine once again. She is a natural leader."

Jaeger said she will continue to work with the University's administration to keep the tuition increase as low as possible.

She would like to get student group funding on next year's legislative priorities, she said, as well as installing lighting on Johnson Field.

"I'd like to see that happen now, for both recreation and safety," she said.