During SGA and Miss Auburn callouts on Tuesday night, Ada Ruth Huntley, junior in global studies, was declared the new SGA president for the 2020-21 year out of five candidates. Presidential hopefuls shared their thoughts following the announcement.
Jordan Bailey, junior in industrial and systems engineering, said that SGA would be “headed in a great direction” under the leadership of Huntley, new vice president Hays Kassen and new treasurer Caroline Willoughby.
“I want SGA to work for students, and I believe that they will,” he said. “No matter what, I just want to see students make Auburn better.”
He admitted he was disappointed at his loss, but he expressed gratitude for the efforts of his supporters on the concourses. He said he was glad they motivated other students to read his platform and cast their vote for his campaign.
“For a lot of my friends, it was their first and only time voting for SGA, but they saw how much passion I had for it,” Bailey said. “It brought them to actually want to help and campaign and be a part of this whole process.”
Jacari Holt, junior in political science, called attention to the fact that Huntley is the first African American SGA president of the University, and he commended her time in previous SGA positions.
“I’ve gotten to work with her for the past three years,” he said. “I know she’s going to do an exceptional job.”
He remarked that his campaign staff members were dedicated during election day in pushing his platform to the student body, and he said he was thankful for their enthusiasm.
“I’ve had an army who’s prayed and encouraged me along the way, and it truly means a lot to me,” Holt said. “These folks have been out here since 6 a.m., and they’re tired, [but] I’m happy they get to go to bed, and we’re happy that SGA is going to be in good hands.”
Jack O’Keefe, junior in building science, said he was prepared to work with with Huntley in her presidency during the next year of SGA.
“Me and my whole team are disappointed, but we’re definitely ready to get behind Ada Ruth and make sure that she will make positive impacts for the entire University and for Auburn as a whole,” he said.
To his supporters, O’Keefe said “thank you” for the little things they did to make his platform stand out, such as learning students’ names and shaking their hands.
“Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me and shown this school throughout this entire process,” O’Keefe said. “It’s truly been amazing to see the way that everyone came out and loved this university and made positive impacts.”
James Sadie, junior in finance, said the support he received from campaign staff reflected his “Serve with Sadie” platform slogan.
“This has been one of the best weeks of my entire life,” he said. “To be surrounded by so many people I love is what Auburn’s all about. I didn’t win tonight, but I won in my experience.”
Sadie described his supporters as “some of the most loving, caring people I know.” Despite his loss, he said Auburn is in “good hands” with Huntley.
“She is a true leader, and she is someone who is going to take this campus to a level that I think will make every experience better, and that’s all we can ask for,” Sadie said.
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