Last year’s SGA presidential election was a hotly contested affair, involving election violations and eventually a university review to decide the winner.
Now, with everything in the rearview mirror, both candidates have had a chance to assess the election and its outcome.
After the spring election, 75 votes separated front-runner Elliot Sanchez, philosophy senior, from opponent André Breaux, mass communication senior. However, a bikini and a remote control car initially kept Sanchez from taking office.
Breaux lobbied election rule violations against the Sanchez campaign After evaluating the case, however, an SGA review board gave the position to Sanchez.
The election was a stressful time for both candidates, but Sanchez rode a unique rollercoaster after winning the popular vote and then immediately finding out campaign violations could cost him the presidency.
“It didn’t sink in immediately, I was shocked,” he said. He also said it might have been easier if he hadn’t been told he won the popular vote.
Coming through a tumultuous election, Sanchez’s biggest concern was gaining the respect of the student body. The review was a very public affair with strong emotions on both sides, and Sanchez worried about a schism among students. He believes, however, that he has the gained the full support of the university, saying that “in the end, that’s the most comforting thought.”
Sanchez spent this semester addressing the issues he thought were important to Loyola. School spirit is something Sanchez felt was lacking, and now SGA has helped to fund a spirit band that plays at basketball games, as well as to coordinate a successful pep rally before Loyola’s game against Tulane.
“SGA can make a big difference in three areas: making the process transparent to students, academics, and being a voice in the governance of the university,” he said.
But the office of president is a demanding, year-round position and Breaux has experienced things he never would have been able to if he had been elected. This past summer Breaux traveled to Belize for three weeks with the Rev. Ted Dziak, S.J.
In Belize, Breaux spent a week traveling the country and meeting locals. The last two weeks he worked at a summer camp in Dangriga tutoring children in language, arts, math and crafts, as well as playing different sports with the campers.
While Sanchez was working over the summer, Breaux also interned with Sen. Cheryl Grey, D-La.
Looking back, Breaux said he has no hard feelings about the election decision. He said he has moved on and is grateful for the opportunities and freedoms he had over the summer.
Sanchez is impressed by the university’s handling of the unprecedented spring election. “It was well done for never having been done (before),” he said.
Breaux echoes the sentiment.
“Everyone did what they thought was right” Breaux said.
Matt Manco can be contacted at [email protected].
