Unofficial IUSA voting results show Big Ten ticket takes the lead

Three hundred and fifty-seven days after he lost his first bid for IU Student Association student body president, Justin Kingsolver has led his Big Ten ticket to victory.

Sitting in the formal lounge of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kingsolver learned of the ticket’s win. He was surrounded by approximately 100 supporters, including his parents, who drove from Indianapolis, and girlfriend, who came from Michigan.

“We won with a pretty clear mandate. You don’t win by almost 2,000 votes with shoddy platforms and an administration that’s not solid,” Kingsolver said. “I really believe our ideas won.”

Voting took place Tuesday and Wednesday at six nonpartisan polling locations, as well as various other sites around campus. IU students cast 9,071 ballots, with 4,811 supporting Big Ten, according to unofficial results released by IUSA Elections Coordinator James Still.

The Big Ten ticket is composed of Kingsolver, Vice President for Administration Kevin Courtney, Vice President for Congress Stephanie Kohls and Treasurer Kyle Straub.

“I was shooting for 5,000 votes, but I’ll take 4,811,” Kingsolver said with a chuckle.

The Big Ten ticket officially launched its campaign Feb. 2 at a campaign kickoff event in the Indiana Memorial Union.  
 
Since then, Big Ten has spoken with more than 100 student organizations, received endorsements from the IU Graduate and Professional Student Organization and the Indiana Daily Student editorial board and garnered 554 Facebook supporters. As of Friday, the ticket brought in $3,470 and spent $2,608.

Big Ten marketed itself with the slogan “save money, save time, save lives,” which referenced some of its six platforms, including its plan to lobby for a medical amnesty law, create a phone app for campus mapping and institute two sales-tax-free textbook weekends in Indiana.

Big Ten also plans to tackle issues such as a men’s basketball student section, Student Recreational Sports Center sustainability and the reformation of the IUSA budget by cutting executive salaries.

Kingsolver is eager to begin his term with his running mates in IUSA, he said.

“IUSA is only as strong as its people. We’re looking forward to getting those people into office and ideas implemented,” Kingsolver said.

BtownUnited received 3,056 votes. Neil Kelty, candidate for student body president, said he was disappointed with the results for his ticket, but pleased with total student turnout.

“We’re proud of how hard everyone worked. It’s been absolutely 100 percent worth it. I’ve met and worked with so many great people. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything,” Kelty said.

ReviveIU collected 1,204 votes. Danny Alexander, reviveIU’s candidate for student body president, called Kingsolver to congratulate him on his win.

“The student body has spoken. We should unite behind our new president,” Alexander said. “I wish him the best of luck.”

Official results are still pending formal review by the IUSA Supreme Court and the expiration of the complaint deadline is 4 p.m. today.