Ashton Dickinson, junior in finance, was elected as 2023-2024’s SGA treasurer late Friday night on the steps of Cater Hall. Dickinson ran on a platform dedicated to helping students become financially literate and active on campus.
Dickinson’s win came after a long day of voting that initially resulted in a runoff. Dickinson defeated Vincent Indovina, sophomore in finance, and Jacob Saavedra, sophomore in finance, by a plurality. Dickinson faced off against Indovina in the runoff to defeat him by 6%.
In the initial results, Dickinson raked in 3,020 votes, or 42%, while Indovina took in 2,471 votes, or 34%, and Saavedra had 1,708 votes, or 24%.
However, Saavedra was penalized for one campaign violation while three were alleged. His penalization came from a violation committed on Jan. 31. The report, which can be found on SGA’s Elections page, stated that Saavedra did not report the purchase of campaign posters in his budget. Saavedra was ordered to take down all posters and forfeit $20 in gimmicks to the SGA Director of Elections Pepper Miller.
Once the race went to a runoff, Dickinson won with 3,453 votes, or 48%, as opposed to Indovina’s 2,997 votes, or 42%.
“I’m definitely excited, it’s nice to see that my hard work has paid off,” Dickinson said. “I’m most excited about serving the student body.”
Dickinson will be replacing former SGA Treasurer Jake Darling, senior in finance.
“It was a great time to serve, it’s been an honor,” Darling said. “I can’t speak highly enough about it. It’s really been an honor to serve in this position.”
Darling complimented Dickinson’s campaign and said he hoped to see him achieve in his new position. He said he was grateful for the support that he had received over the last year and was ready to see what Dickinson could bring to SGA.
Dickinson said that as treasurer, he hoped to accomplish all of his campaign platform points by teaching students the importance of financial literacy, advocacy and transparency. He also took a moment to thank his supporters for helping elect him to the position.
“Thank you all for believing in me. Thank you all for believing in my vision,” Dickinson said. “I can’t wait to serve all of you.”
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Tucker Massey, junior in journalism, is the content editor for The Auburn Plainsman.
