Change Party has publicly announced its all-Black, queer femme executive ticket for Student Government’s spring elections.
“On the first day of Black History Month, we are here running a 100% Black all-queer ticket,” said Gabrielle Adekunle, the party’s candidate for Student Body President. “I could not be more proud of this accomplishment.”
On the lawn of the Reitz Union Tuesday morning, the candidates made their debut in front of silver balloons that read ‘FORWARD’ in front of an audience of about 30 students.
Adekunle, 21, a political science and business administration junior, will lead the ticket as President. Dayanna Peek, a 20-year-old public relations and international studies sophomore, will run as the candidate for Vice President and Kenya Warner, a 20-year-old computer science sophomore, for Treasurer.
All three candidates have held previous positions within Student Government or the Change Party.
Adekunle serves as minority party leader for the Change Party, which holds eight SG Senate seats, and Peek was the party’s deputy social media director last Spring. Warner has served as the party’s treasurer for three semesters.
The party is led by President Cassidy Campbell, 20, a second-year telecommunications production.
“Our exec ticket candidates are very experienced and definitely reach a different audience that Student Government has not drawn from before,” she said. “A very diverse ticket overall.”
The election cycle began Jan. 25; parties had until Jan. 27 to register. Five parties including Change Party, Gator Party, Communist Party, Keg Party and Waffle House Party have registered.
Elections will take place Feb. 22 and Feb. 23.
Contact Maia Botek mbotek@alligator.org. Contact her on Twitter @BotekMaia
Maia Botek is a third-year journalism major and Spanish minor covering student government this semester. Maia is from South Florida and enjoys the beach, spending time with her friends and learning about the environment in her free time.
