Trevor Tezel (SFS ’15) and Omika Jikaria (SFS ’15) are in the lead in the race for GUSA executive, with 26.6 percent of likely GUSA candidates choosing their ticket, according to a door-to-door poll conducted by The Heckler on Sunday evening.
Zach Singer (SFS ’15) and Dan Silkman (COL ’15) ranked in second place, with 18.8 percent, and Ben Weiss (COL ’15) and Sam Greco (SFS ’15) came in third with 16.9 percent. Thomas Lloyd (SFS ’15) and Jimmy Ramirez (COL ’15) received 9.5 percent, and 28.2 percent of likely GUSA candidates remained undecided.
The poll sampled 8 GUSA candidates, who identified as the only people who really care that much about it, and from whom this data was drawn. Of these 8 GUSA candidates, 6 were considered likely voters.
“These numbers are encouraging and show that our message is really starting to resonate with GUSA candidates,” Tezel said. “That being said, it’d be nice if someone else would listen besides GUSA candidates.”
“The fact that Trevor’s in first is to be expected; he’s been running for the longest amount of time and of all the candidates he has the most ingrained support among GUSA candidates,” Singer said.
While Tezel led the poll when respondents were asked, “Who do you plan to vote for?” many GUSA candidates thought that Singer would be in the lead. When asked, “Who do you think is the frontrunner in the race?” 35.1 percent of all 8 respondents answered Singer and Silkman.
Weiss and Greco were seen as the frontrunner by 29.4 percent of respondents, and Tezel and Jikaria were seen as the frontrunner by 26.6 percent.
“I think that comes from the good presence Dan and I have built over two and a half years among these GUSA presidential candidates and they’re all really nice to me. So that’s easy to see why this poll is misleading,” Singer said.
Recently-leaked news that Freshman Eric Hodgekins was considering joining the race – as a voter – baffled many GUSA insiders
Weiss expressed surprise and dismay at the news.
“I’m very surprised we’re having a non-candidate enter the election,” Weiss said. “So… like… I can’t vote for him? This is weird. There’s going to be so many votes cast.”
