ASUNM approves aide to president

ASUNM has a new chief of staff as of Wednesday night.

The ASUNM Senate passed a measure 18-1-1 to replace former Chief-of-Staff Michael Thorning with freshman Christopher Romero. Romero will fill in as chief-of-staff for the remainder of the semester.

Members of ASUNM’s Outreach and Appointments Committee said Romero, who was not previously a member of ASUNM, lacks experience.

“The view is that the appointment was a little bit sketchy because of him being a freshman,” Committee Chair Nick Ramos said.

ASUNM President Laz Cardenas said Romero was the only applicant for the position. He said he trusts Romero’s ability to serve as chief-of-staff for the few weeks left in the semester. Romero did not attend the meeting.

“The most important aspect for any chief-of-staff or anyone in any position is trust — is trust in the individual,” Cardenas said. “You may be a hard worker. You may be a good worker, but if you’re a person that you cannot trust, then it doesn’t really matter.”

Cardenas told the Daily Lobo on April 4 that Thorning, who resigned from the chief-of-staff position last month, broke Cardenas’ trust. He said he was one of the last people to know that Thorning planned to run against ASUNM Presidential Candidate Jaymie Roybal, who was previously running unopposed.

In response, Thorning said Cardenas cut his chief-of-staff duties in half three days after telling Cardenas he planned to run against Roybal.

Thorning, who planned to run on the New Day slate, dropped out of the election March 4. Tim Mousseau is now the presidential candidate with the New Day Slate and will run against Roybal from the Now Slate. The election takes place Wednesday.