And they’re off…

The 2009 University of Alberta Students’ Union Executive elections campaigns kicked off today. Already we’re inundated with countless posters, banners and tables of eager volunteers.

I’m relatively non-partisan in this election, and while I may have leanings at this point, I could be swayed any way in any of the elections. So throughout this campaign I’ll bring the latest views, news, and just plain ol’ gossip that I come across.

And so, since the Gateway doesn’t have any coverage up yet, and the SU likely won’t get its website updated for another week, I’m going to give initial impressions off what I’ve seen/heard so far.

President

While there were rumours that current VP Academic John Braga was going to run, the contest is now between engineer/improvisist Kory Mathewson, AVPA Craig Turner and Jesse Hahn.

Turner has the SU experience, but Mathewson has the following and charisma.

My bet’s on this being a fairly close race.

VP External

In a rare move, current VPX Beverly Eastham is running for re-election, which means she’ll have to justify the move to join CASA against challenger Aden Murphy.

I think there are more in this race, so watch for updates.

VP Academic

I think Leah Trueblood is “the only one running” (a la Mathieu Johnson circa 2005). Perhaps she’ll go the high road and run the “zero dollar campaign.”

VP Operations & Finance

In this category we have Zach Fentimen and Vince Mireau. I don’t know much about either, but I think Fentimen has a head-start.

VP Student Life

Here we have Nick Dehod and Ian Clarke, both of whom have strong followings. Dehod has a great deal of experience with the SU, while I believe Clarke has more experience with Lister. Look for this to be the other tight race of the year.

BoG Representative

No clue who’s running except Steve Dollansky who was disqualified.

Referendum

One referendum this year – and it’s familiar to anyone who’s been on campus at least 5 years like myself. It’s the Health Plan again! (I’m so glad it’s not PAC again!)

This time the Health Plan has an easy opt-out option, but comes with a bigger price tag. I don’t think there’s an organized health-plan no campaign, and the Yes team (likely SU hacks?) is well organized.

Joke Candidates?

After an abundance of joke candidates last year, I’ve yet to hear even a rumour of a joke candidate this year.

Hopefully there’s at least a couple. I mean, last year we had Sheldon Tibbo tell us God told him to run!

Predictions

Finally, not as an endorsement, but as a guess of how things will turn out, here’s my day 1 predictions for the elections (these are subject to change before the vote, but it’ll be interesting to see if I can nail them from day 1).

President: Mathewson
VPX: Eastham
VPA: Trueblood (>75%)
VPOF: Fentimen
VPSL: Dehod
Health Plan: Yes (~75%)

So until more information is out, good luck candidates.