Correction appended
Two political rivals were nominated for Student Senate president during the year’s first Senate meeting Wednesday — and they nominated each other.
Leading candidates for opposing slates in last year’s elections, Sens. Nick Gower and Nick Schultz nominated one another for Senate president, both knowing the other was in line for the office.
“It’s pretty simple, it came down to whether (former Senate President) Alex (McCafferty) ran or not,” Schultz said.
Sen. Sandy Weintraub nominated McCafferty, but he did not accept.
“Things between us are fine,” Schultz said of himself and Gower. “Whoever they pick — me or Sen. Gower — students are going to win.”
Sen. Gower held similar feelings regarding the mutual nomination.
“We’re both very qualified individuals, and the University will benefit if and when one of us takes the position,” he said.
The Senate president traditionally does not vote or speak on issues during meetings, though Gower has hinted that he may express opinions if he were to assume the seat. Gower denied, however, that he nominated Schultz in an attempt to nullify a political rival.
“I knew he was going to nominate me, so I nominated him,” he said.
The Senate also held nominations for its other four officer positions. Nominees for vice president include Amanda Hilts and Schultz; nominations for ombudsperson include McCafferty and Paige Libadisos; nominees for treasurer are Tyler Griffin, Lyzi Diamond and Jessica Jones; Academic chair nominees are Hilts and Zachary Stark-MacMillan.
The elections for these positions will be held at the next Senate meeting on Oct. 7.
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