By Erin Ratigan/tr news editor
The race for governor is not the only election coming up. TR Campus students can vote April 7-8 in the Student Government Association elections.
The contested offices are secretary and senator-at-large.
SGA member Antonio Mercado is running uncontested for the office of president after College Helping Each Student Succeed club president Conner Moyer dropped out of the race March 24.
Running for secretary are Samantha Wedgeworth and Muhummed Benson.
Wedgeworth, a member of the American Sign Language program, said she decided to run for office because she was ending her final term as senator.
To remain a member, she said she had to try for a new position.
“I approached the current president on what my options were to be able to stay a part of the SGA, and he recommended the secretary position,” Wedgeworth said. “I also want the position because it is a fantastic opportunity to learn and help the other officers and my fellow students.”
While she said she is not the most well-known figure on TR Campus, she said she intends to make herself known to other students before voting begins.
“I plan to show that I want to help, and I want the chance to stay part of something special and something great, which I feel the SGA is,” she said. “I want to help the students by representing them and being their voice.”
Benson said his experience as a member of student government while in high school makes him a worthy candidate.
“The thought of running first crossed my mind when our current president, Mark Warneke, emailed the senators that elections were coming up,” he said. “As time went on, I felt that I would be a great choice for secretary due to my experience.”
He said both he and his opponent are equally qualified for the job.
“My opponent, Samantha Wedgeworth, would make a great secretary,” he said. “I feel that we are equally matched regarding our chances of winning.”
Benson’s goal as secretary would be to “constantly improve” the school environment and to make sure students are as comfortable as possible, he said.
Another position open to voting is that of senator-at-large, who acts as liaison between students and the SGA vice president.
Adrian Vasquez and Mason Perkey are competing for the position.
Vasquez said he hopes to be elected because it would allow him to play a larger role in improving the school.
“I would like to be involved more with Tarrant County College,” he said. “I’m also running so that I can show students that a student like me who struggled the first year of college can come back a year later and try to run for an SGA position.”
He plans to create campaign posters to spread awareness of his candidacy.
“Even though I pretty much know a lot of students on campus, I will be using a poster to get the students’ attention,” he said. “Hopefully, those will help to make my chances grow during voting.”
Mason Perkey was unavailable for comment.
Student development associate Eddie Brassart said the SGA elections are just as important for students as they are for the candidates.
Brassart said students need to vote because the SGA is vital for communicating students’ needs and interests to school administrators.
“They are constantly communicating with and listening to student input,” Brassart said. “The SGA is not only reactive to student concerns but also proactive in addressing issues.”
Wedgeworth agreed, saying students should take the election seriously.
“If a student sees something that they want changed, they can appeal to us and we can move it on up and try to help,” she said.
Ballots will be sent electronically to all TR students’ emails.
Students can learn more about the elections by emailing Brassart at edward.brassart@tccd.edu or visiting the Center for Student Involvement in TREF 1503C.
