Winning by only 19 votes

In one of the closest elections in WSU history, Victoria Thompson edged Lee Naylor by 19 votes Friday night to become the first female Weber State University Student Body President since 1993.
“I think that means that anybody can do anything; it doesn’t matter who you are,” Thompson said. “This year we have a (president) that’s in a wheelchair and I think that’s awesome, and just as awesome is this year we have a female president.”
Thompson received 39.7 percent of 1,434 votes while Naylor received 38.3 percent. Thompson attributed her narrow win to her credentials and aggressive campaign, which won her the vote of at least one student.
“She was handing out juice boxes at the shuttle stop and it was one of the days when it was a blizzard,” said Rachel Park, a student who voted for Thompson. “That’s dedication.”
Naylor also applauded Thompson’s campaign, calling it one of the greatest ever seen at WSU. Naylor expressed appreciation for both of his opponents, saying that Cole Spicker, who finished last in the voting, showed a great deal of respect and integrity throughout his campaign.
The programming vice president election was also closely contested, with Matthew Budge defeating Jennifer Peterson by only 35 votes. The other elected candidates include Tawny Choi as Diversity Vice President, Michelle Hall as Service Vice President, Shay Taylor as Clubs and Organizations Vice President, Kyle Braithwaite as as Leadership Vice President and Candace Mau as Davis Campus Vice President.
In the run for Legislative Vice President, Justin Neville was able to hold off the legendary Chuck Norris, who received several write-in votes.
“When people don’t take it seriously it’s a little bit upsetting,” Neville said. “This year in particular people could have really made a difference.”
Other notables receiving write-in votes for various positions included the Dark Lord, Kermit the Frog, Homer Simpson and Glenn Beck.
Voter turnout increased by approximately 100 this year from last. However, last year’s turnout number included both primary and final elections, while this year primary elections were eliminated.
Spicker and Mitch Southwick, who was defeated in the Leadership Vice President race, will now turn their attention to campaigning for the WSU Student Senate.
“Hopefully we can get a lot of voters,” Spicker said. “Sometimes votes dwindle as senate positions are elected.”
Polls open for student senate elections March 8 and close March 11. Senate election results will be announced March 12 at noon in the Shepherd Union Atrium.
This year only seven of the 16 senate positions are being sought by more than one student. This means a total of nine student government positions will be filled with candidates who had no challengers.
Electees will be inaugurated April 7 in room 404 of the Shepherd Union Building.
Following her inauguration, Thompson is tentatively planning a meet-and-greet for her constituents. Then her focus will turn toward unifying the student leaders through a leadership retreat.
“My first official act will be to rally the leaders together and get them on the same page so we can reach out to the students,” Thompson said.
For full election results, visit wsusignpost.com.