SG Campaign Update

The dynamics of the Student Government campaign continue to change as the deadline for filing candidacy draws near. One week after declaring his intent to run for president, Alfredo Jimenez (Sen. COAS), has opted out of the race. Later confirmed during the SG Senate meeting of April 8, Jimenez’s intent was originally expressed in a comment posted on The Bridge website: “I believe that my involvement remains more practical as a dutiful SG COAS Senator.”While Jimenez is now running to keep his COAS seat, he has decided to support SG new comer Guillermo “Memo” Huerta.A junior majoring in international economics, Huerta started his campaign online. He has a page dedicated to his candidacy on the social networking site Facebook. The page and his candidacy have since attracted increasing attention, even among SG observers who may see him as an outside candidate. Regarding his lack of history within Student Government, Huerta explained he took two long sabbaticals from TAMIU, one in his home of Mexico due to personal reasons and one study abroad opportunity in Paris, France. He says he wanted to get involved with SG but not if he couldn’t see it through.”I didn’t want to commit myself to something and then abandon it. I couldn’t do that to people,” Huerta said via e-mail.In high school, Huerta served as chairman of the City of Laredo Sister Cities Youth Committee in which capacity he represented the city in Mexico and Washington D.C. “Besides being an ambassador for the city, I also helped organize charities and events for children less fortunate. These were great experiences, and I think they’ve taught me what I know now and the skills required to be a leader,” stated Huerta. Huerta’s other civic activities include the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club.While Huerta did not state specific issues he would address during the campaign or potentially as president, he said his number one priority is the students. “I’m campaigning for people to vote more than I am for myself,” he said. “We need to get more students to vote, and I think that getting them involved in the electoral process will lead to greater involvement in all student government activities.”Running with Huerta as Vice President is current At-Large Senator Annalie Miravete, a former SG President in her own right. With Jimenez out of the race, Huerta and Miravete have to contend with the ticket of Chief Justice Christine Cortez and Ana Castañeda. Like Huerta, Cortez, and Castañeda have set up a campaign page on Facebook. Since reporting on March 31 that Juan Sebastian Mendive (Sen., COAS) intends to run for Senator At-Large, The Bridge has learned of other SG officials seeking the position.College of Arts and Sciences Senator Manuel Marquez, Graduate Senator Karla Garcia, Ana Tijerina, and Cynthia Gallardo all reportedly seek at-large senate seats. In addition, SG Secretary Monica Aguilar announced her intent to run for Senator for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Generally, senators holding college-specific seats represent the interests of students from those particular colleges. At-large senators, however, speak for the entire student body. The application for candidacy all current and hopeful SG officials must fill out lists four at-large seats available.SG Officer elections will begin April 15 at 8 a.m. and last until noon on April 17. Voting will be online at onecard.tamiu.edu.