With the University-wide election dates getting closer, the race for Student Government President and Vice President is in full swing.
This year, seven executive alliances are running. Students can vote online on March 2, starting at 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on March 3. Students can also vote in-person from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gregory Gym on March 2 and the West Mall on March 3. Communication leadership junior Samuel Hecht, chairman of the Election Supervisory Board, said students tend to ignore elections, so the ESB has planned events where students can interact with candidates, including meet and greets.
“By making (the elections) visible on campus, we really feel like we’re going to be able to increase voter turnout,” Hecht said.
Armando Parrish & Ben Guerriero
Philosophy junior Armando Parrish and Ben Guerriero, a finance and math sophomore, said they want to meet students “where they’re at.”
Their campaign focuses on academic excellence, mental health and wellness and building belonging among students. Their 19 policy proposals include a “Freshman Forgiveness” Grade Replacement program, allowing students to retake up to two lower-level classes from their first three semesters, and a semesterly remembrance ceremony to honor students who have passed away. Parrish said the alliance wants to be “agents of change.”
Camille Kilday & Connor Guess
With a flash “endorsement” from Timothée Chalamet, Camille Kilday, an advertising and theater sophomore, and English junior Connor Guess are “putting politics over people.” They said they would focus on making the Tower the “world’s first fully functional space elevator.”
The pair are both editors at The Texas Travesty, the University’s humor magazine, which they claim has nothing to do with their campaign.
Cate Kratovil & Bailey Inglish
Cate Kratovil, a Plan II and government junior, and Bailey Inglish, a Plan II and statistics and data science junior, have been running around campus in costumes resembling presidents to show SG can be engaging even to people outside of the “SG bubble.”
Inglish said their campaign policy is focused on “simple changes,” such as opening some buildings 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to improve student life and make the most of the year-long term.
Jaylen Waithe & Nina Raich
SG reform through increased student involvement is the game plan for advertising junior Jaylen Waithe and Nina Raich, a political communication and informatics junior. Raich said her experience as an SG communication representative and chair of the governmental affairs committee helped her see how SG works. Her experience includes writing legislation and building systems that hold leaders accountable, she said.
Waithe said he and Raich are running to make a genuine impact and give back to the campus they love.
Kelsey Green & Nicholas Smith
Kelsey Green and Nicholas Smith want to make one thing clear about their campaign: transparency. Green, a government junior, said their platform is rooted in “accessibility, action and accountability.” Green said that she is disappointed in the lack of communication from SG and wants to change that.
Government junior Smith said as a transfer student, he wants to ensure campus is welcoming to all types of students, and that students feel they have access to all parts of UT.
Kiera Dixon & Jaden Watt
From the dissolution of her role in the First Year Leadership agency to running for SG president, government junior Kiera Dixon said she and her running mate, government junior Jaden Watt, are involved in diverse communities and hope to bring people together through being president and vice president.
If voted in, the pair wants students to feel like they left campus better than they found it through lease education workshops and more pronounced mental health resources to alleviate stigma around mental health.
Sarah Sheriff & Siyona Nayampally
Sarah Sheriff and Siyona Nayampally said their slogan, “Y’all means all,” encapsulates their plans for the 2026-27 year. Sheriff, a public health junior, said major points of their campaign include a technology rental system and expansions to the graduation regalia rental program.
Nayampally, an economics and Plan II junior, said they plan to implement open-door policies that help students become directly involved in SG legislation, following the dissolution of agencies in September 2025.
Editor’s note: Executive alliance candidates Camille Kilday & Connor Guess are part of The Texas Travesty, an organization within Texas Student Media.