Texas Tech Student Government Association election season has begun. This post introduces each bloc’s executive candidates, although they also have candidates for chief of staff, senator seats, journal clerk and more.
The Executive Candidate Forum will be held February 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building Matador Room. Voting will take place February 28 and March 1, and if no run-off election is necessary, results will be announced March 3 at 6 p.m. in the SUB Courtyard.
Hunter Hall, Sean Barela, Emily Jenkins and Harley Puett make up the Fearless campaign bloc.
Their core initiatives from their Facebook include:
- Combatting sexual assault by creating a Big 12-wide prevention campaign
- Working with national campaigns to lower interest rates on student loans
- Amending the SGA constitution to better represent students
- Partnering with the city to enhance Lubbock’s entertainment options
- Encouraging unity at Texas Tech by creating diverse senator seats
Hunter Hall is a candidate for student body president. He is a junior energy commerce major.
Hall is from Farwell, Texas. He is involved in the Greek community with Beta Theta Pi, the vice president of Interfraternity Council, and a second-generation Red Raider.
“I’m running because Texas Tech is my home. Every student deserves to belong here. There is a reason we call ourselves fearless. It is very difficult to talk about some of the issues, but that does not mean they don’t need to be resolved. My goal, if elected as Student Body President, is to make Texas Tech a inclusive environment where everyone supports one another. We are stronger united then we are divided.”
Sean Barela is a candidate for external vice president. He is a junior political science major with minors in legal studies and philosophy.
Barela is from Farmington, New Mexico. He is involved in Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-law Academy, and interned for Senator Ted Cruz in Washington D.C. He has also worked for the Republican National Committee, Regional Capital Defenders Office for the State of Texas, and McDougal Real Estate.
“I believe Texas Tech is one of the greatest schools on the planet with untapped potential and boundless opportunity. Texas Tech has undoubtedly shaped my life in a vast number of ways from the moment I made the decision to come to this great school to now. If elected, I am confident that I have the skill set and have formed the necessary networks in order represent and serve the student body of Texas Tech on a local, state, and national level.”
Emily Jenkins is a candidate for internal vice president. She is junior honors arts and letters and political science dual major, minoring in Spanish and military history.
Jenkins is from Round Rock, Texas and is involved with the Honors College, Delta Gamma Fraternity, and Panhellenic Council.
“I am running for Internal Vice President because I’ve seen the change that can come from students who are organized, confident, and fearless. I want to lead a Student Senate that is aware of the issues faced by each facet of the Texas Tech population. With hard work, understanding, and compassion, we can ensure that students will no longer feel underrepresented.”
Harley Puett is a candidate for graduate vice president. She will graduate in May with a Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology and minors in chemistry and philosophy. She will then pursue a Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resource Management.
Puett is from El Paso, Texas, but moved frequently because her father is in the military. She is involved with the Honors College, Beta Beta Beta, Texas Tech Triathlon Club, Women’s Service Organization, and interned for Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn.
“I am running the be Grad VP because I believe I am the best candidate for the position. I have the skills, knowledge, experience, time, and passion to commit to the students of Texas Tech University.Graduate students face some similar issues to undergraduate students, but also encounter different challenges. If elected, I will tirelessly work to better the experience of all students.”
Robbie Meyer, Avery Martinez, Alissa Payne and Cole McNiel make up the Raiders Empowered campaign bloc.
Their core initiatives from their Facebook include:
- Creating a dog park on campus
- Strengthening amnesty and good Samaritan policies with student conduct
- Establishing WiFi and cell phone reception in the Jones Stadium to enhance student safety
- Creating mobile student ID to improve accessibility and campus safety
- Lobby for economical and reliable insurance for graduate and international students
Robbie Meyer is a candidate for student body president. He is a junior kinesiology major with a minor in general business.
Meyer is from Lubbock and has been involved in Red Raider Camp, Red Raider Orientation, American Medical Student Association, and the Epsilon Gamma chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
“I am running for this position because I am truly passionate about making a change for the students. Throughout these past two years, especially through orientation and camp, I have heard many incoming students vocally express their concerns about student life and safety on campus. My biggest goal is to leave this university in a better place that it was when I took office. ”
Alissa Payne is a candidate for internal vice president. She is a junior energy commerce major.
Payne is from Sanger, Texas. She is involved with Greek life, Tech Terry Scholars, Chancellor’s ambassadors, and Rawls ambassadors.
“I’m running for IVP to continue to serve the student body at large. I feel that there is so much potential for our senators to serve the constituents of their colleges and I’m excited to play a part in that process. I hope to honor this position by empowering Red Raiders to use their voice and to let student government help their voices be heard to the administration of this university.”
Avery Martinez is a candidate for external vice president. She is a junior political science major with a minor in Spanish.
Martinez is from Austin, Texas. She is involved with Delta Delta Delta and serves as the vice president of membership. She is currently an at-large senator for SGA.
“I am running for External Vice President, and as a member of SGA for the past three years I see the value of student involvement. I whole-heartedly believe that if we work together, we can make a difference in campus life and our Raider community. If elected, I want to address the very real concerns for the women on our campus regarding their sense of safety and security.”
Cole McNiel is a candidate for graduate vice president. He graduated from Tech in May 2016 and is a first year law student at Texas Tech Law School.
McNiel is from Mansfield, was an active member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and interned for U.S. Representative Randy Neugebauer in both his Lubbock and D.C. Office. At Tech Law, he participates in the Board of Barristers organization.
“I am running with the intention of providing an accurate voice of graduate student’s concerns and suggestions. As a lawyer, you are expected to be a trustworthy and ethical leader within your community. I plan to apply these same principles to a leadership role in SGA.”
Although certain Hub staff members may or may not support various campaigns, their views or opinions do not reflect those of The Hub@TTU as a whole. In the interest of fairness, The Hub@TTU will not be endorsing a particular campaign.
About Maddy McCarty
