ASUSU: Executive VP
The race for the position of executive vice president of the Associated Students of Utah State University got just a little bit closer Friday, when primary election results were announced.
Mike Waggoner, a junior studying pre-med biology and Kevin Nielsen, a junior studying aerospace engineering, edged out Justin Miller’s 251 votes. Of 1,906 votes cast for executive vice president, Waggoner received 49 percent, or 946 votes. Nielsen received 37 percent, or 709 votes.
Waggoner and Miller said they are both excited about the opportunity to participate as final-election candidates. Both candidates said, if elected, they realize the position of executive vice president will allow them to play an integral role in relations between Logan City and the students of USU.
Nielsen said after having been to Ricks College and BYU, he wanted to get involved and make a difference.
“I want to have a student representative in the Chamber of Commerce,” he said.
Nielsen said this would allow students to have a voice concerning which businesses enter Cache Valley. He said another issue on his campaign platform is to work on expanding zoning laws with Logan City to increase the number of unrelated people who can live together in a residence.
However, one of the most important issues Nielsen said he faces is presenting legislation for USU to the Utah legislature.
“The most important job is getting senators to know our issues,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen is currently a member of ASUSU President Steve Palmer’s staff, “A” on the Mountain committee chair and a volunteer with the Val R. Christensen Service Center.
Waggoner, who ran for the office of executive vice president last year, worked this year with current Executive Vice President Celestial Starr Bybee on the Public Affairs Board, in the Utah Intercollegiate Assembly and on the USU State Legislature Lobbying Committee. This year, Waggoner said friends encouraged and supported him early on in his decision to run, and students have been receptive to his platform this year.
“One of the biggest issues is getting students involved and informed about issues,” Waggoner said.
He said he plans to work to better community involvement with student life and to get students more involved in the community as well as lobbying the state legislature to better understand and fulfill student needs.