Only 39 Student Senate representatives were going to choose the organization’s vice president before the body chose to change the rules and let all Ohio University students vote.
Mary Kate Gallagher, a fifth-year senior studying community health and family development, won the vice presidency with 300 votes. Her opponent, Tyler Daniels, a senior studying political science, global studies, and war and peace studies and a senator at-large on the university life commission, received 228 votes. A write in candidate, Max the dog, received 20 votes.
A total of 608 votes were cast. In the spring election, after weeks of campaigning, 2,313 votes were cast — 73 percent more than voted Wednesday.
Gallagher was appointed to a senator at-large position at the very beginning of the meeting so she could be made vice president.
Gallagher spent five years on the senate body before resigning in September because the senate’s behavior made her feel like an “outsider.” She last served as the rule and procedures chair.
“I think Mary Kate is wonderful,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi, who is also senate’s advisor. “She is an outstanding student leader on this campus and she will be wonderful as vice president.”
Senate President Anna Morton said she would have been happy with Gallagher or Daniels.
“Either candidate would have been spectacular,” Morton said. “I’m happy to have a full executive board.”
Gallagher said she is looking forward to helping senate move forward in the coming months.
Morton was senate’s vice president before becoming senate’s president following Nick Southall’s resignation.
“I’m really excited to work with this body and to really encourage and support our student senators as they go out and advocate for student needs,” Gallagher said.
Senate filled another open position at Wednesday’s meeting. Jacob Haskins, a freshman studying Spanish education, was elected by the body for the position of East Green senator.
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