In a lopsided affair, all seven candidates from the Limitless ticket were tabbed to represent the SLU student body as the SGA executive board for the 2012-13 academic year. Each elected candidate received at least 78 percent of the votes, and five of the candidates ran unopposed. Election Commissioner Kathleen Cadigan said that despite a drop-off from last year’s total of 3,000 votes, she is pleased with the elections.

“Today went really well. We had a great turnout for it not being a competitive election. We had a little under 1,200 people. There were 3,000 last year, but there were three tickets, and it was a very competitive election,” Cadigan said. “I think it turned out really well, and I could not have hoped for a better election process and season.”

Leading the charge was sophomore Blake Exline, who defeated junior Alexander Salazar with an 80 percent voting margin.

“I’m ecstatic. It’s hard to get your head around it because we always knew it was a possibility, but the fact that it actually happened is really crazy,” Exline said. “I’m just really excited for next year to get the ability to serve the student body.”

Exline, whose platform focused on improving student concerns such as mail service, campus security and meal plans, said that he was nervous during election day but excited to get to work. He also said that the ticket began their planning process and formation over winter break and has been working hard to develop its platform throughout the semester.

“I was nervous. [The day] was kind of like a roller coaster. It’s like you are really excited, but then really nauseous,” Exline said. “It feels good for it to be over, like a big blanket has been lifted off.”

Junior Elizabeth Alberty was elected vice president of internal affairs, winning 92 percent of the votes.

“I’m looking forward to this coming year.  I’m excited for SGA to branch out and have a positive relationship with every student on campus,” Alberty said.

Rounding out the executive board winners are junior Sean Worley, vice president of diversity and social justice; sophomore Vidur Sharma, vice president of finance; junior Keilah Johnson, vice president for student organizations; freshman Richard Joubert, vice president of academics; and sophomore Yiqing Huang, vice president of international affairs. Limitless Campaign Manager Kate Essig, a sophomore, played a prominent role in marketing and managing the ticket and expressed her pride at the members’ accomplishments.

“I am so excited and proud that limitless will be representing the student body.  I couldn’t have more confidence in a group of people,” Essig said.

Election Commission member Christopher Fidler, a junior, voiced his confidence in the elected candidates and expressed relief that the task of overseeing the election is finally completed.

“It’s definitely a relief for the election to be over.  The election was more stressful than I anticipated,” Fidler said. “The new executive board will fulfill their platform promises to be the voice of their positions.  The student body has definitely spoken up, and their vote has been their voice.”

Junior Dustin Paluch supported the Limitless ticket and said that their collective attitude made them the strongest choice for election. He also said there are some things he hopes the new administration accomplishes.

“One of the things they can do is work with administrative staff and improving the student-administrative relationship and finishing the library,” Paluch said. “Also, they should continue working on the oath of inclusion continuation. Not letting it die off will be hard, but I think they can handle it.”

Cadigan said that she was proud of how all the candidates handled themselves throughout the election and is confident in the abilities of the newly-elected executive board.

“I’m just really proud. This was a very classy election. Everyone involved kept great etiquette; there was a lot of good etiquette that can be learned from in future elections,” Cadigan said. “I think it was a really successful election overall, and I’m excited to see what they accomplish year.”