Two UF football players have publicly endorsed the Students Party.
In a news release Monday, starting linebackers Dante Fowler Jr. and Michael Taylor announced their support and urged fellow students to vote in the upcoming elections.
In the release, Taylor, a redshirt junior, said, “The Students Party has every student’s best interest at heart. They don’t just represent individual ‘blocs’ or special interests. They represent every student.”
Fowler, a sophomore, said in the release, “After witnessing Student Government elections for four semesters, we’ve seen first hand the corruption and inefficacy of the Swamp Party … the student body deserves better.”
This isn’t the first time a member of the football program has endorsed Students Party. Coach Will Muschamp endorsed player and vice president candidate Jesse Schmitt in 2012.
Students Party spokesman Alex Klayman said the two football players are friends with the Students Party’s health and human performance Senate candidate, Jacob Gabriel, and they expressed their interest in endorsing the party.
Klayman said he’s happy but isn’t surprised.
“We’re the right choice for every student, not just the stereotypical GDI … Our athletics agree: If you’re not a part of the system, then you’re not benefiting from the system,” he said.
Taco Libre Party Student Body treasurer candidate Micaela Montero Dosker said her party has no official endorsements.
Swamp Party spokeswoman Susan Webster declined to comment.
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 2/18/2014 under the headline "Gator football starters endorse Students Party in SG elections"]
