Three candidates have emerged for Student Body president, all of which send the message of giving Student Government a makeover.
New parties who have recently filled their Executive ticket said they intend to bring SG back to the students and to stop partisan-based bickering.
The Progress Party announced Sunday it filled its Executive ticket with senators from both the Gator Party and the Orange and Blue Party, the only two parties currently holding seats in Student Senate.
Orange and Blue Party Sen. Ben Dictor, who announced his intent to run for Student Body president in December, will run alongside vice-presidential candidate and Gator Party Sen. Heshan Illangkoon, according to Josh Simmons, party president.
Simmons said Gator Party Sen. Jose Ortega, who represents UF's Fisher School of Accounting, will run as Student Body treasurer.
Simmons said the Progress Party opted not to interview candidates but chose them based on past SG experience and leadership.
"He's the best student leader I've seen," he said. "I'm graduating in May, so I get no personal benefit from (Dictor's election)."
He said the Progress Party will hold a informative rally in Plaza of the Americas today at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, after interviewing nine applicants on Friday, the Unite Party announced its vice presidential candidate, Larnell Vickers, along with Maryam Laguna, candidate for Student Body treasurer on Sunday. Both candidates have been involved with SG in the past.
Unite Party President William Harrell said the party sought hard workers with long-term goals.
Many of the applicants who came to interview with the party agreed with its mantra, such as Budgets and Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Brandon White of the Gator Party.
"I want to get happy people in Student Government. It's become so serious," said White, who interviewed for treasurer.
The Orange and Blue Party's candidate for Student Body President, Mark McShera, will begin interviews on Jan. 30 to choose his running mates.
So far, nine parties have registered for this year's election, including the LAN Party and the Keg Party, according to Supervisor of Elections Dan Siegel. Registration ends Friday at noon.
