An additional candidate's entrance and two candidates' withdrawals transformed the race for student body president over the weekend. Frances Vernon '10, current 2010 Class Council president, has decided to enter the race, and David Imamura '10 and Brendan Hart '10 have both dropped out. While Imamura attributed his withdrawal to Vernon's candidacy, Hart said his decision was based entirely on personal factors.
"Had I known she was running, I would have never even considered it," Imamura said. "I believe that Frances Vernon honestly would be the best president out of all the candidates, including myself, and given that, I saw no real reason to continue my candidacy."
Student body presidential candidate John Nolan '10 said he will remain in the race.
"[Vernon's] joining has not deterred me from running at all," he said.
Boyd Lever '10, another confirmed student body presidential candidate, will also remain in the race. The list is still not final, however, as students have until April 10 to submit petitions to add their names to the ballot. Official campaigning begins on April 13.
Candidates have entered the race later this year than in the past two, according to Neil Kandler '09, a member of Student Assembly who has not endorsed any candidate. This dynamic may force the candidates to adopt new campaign tactics as they may not have had the opportunity to build a large base of supporters, Kandler said.
"It might force people to confront the issues more, instead of worrying about [public relations]," he said.
Vernon's entrance has alleviated some students' concerns about the lack of female candidates, Jasmine Richards '10, a member of the Assembly said.
"I believe that some people on campus were surprised to learn that there were no female candidates on the ballot, and some where relieved when they saw that Frances had entered the race," Richards said.
Imamura said he was enthusiastic about Vernon's campaign, but would not discuss exactly what role he would play in her campaign, citing Elections Planning and Advisory Committee rules.
"I will be supporting [Vernon] in whatever capacity I can," he said.
Hart said in an e-mail to The Dartmouth that he decided to drop out of the race because of other major time commitments.
"I would have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a leader in another capacity on campus but look forward to these issues that are pressing to me and continuing my work in veteran affairs," he said in an e-mail to The Dartmouth.
Vernon, who created her own major in global health, has served as Class Council president since her freshman year, running unopposed her sophomore and junior years.
As a candidate in the student body presidential race, Vernon cannot run for re-election as Class Council president.
