Despite the incentive of free pizza, few students attended the A.S. election committee’s latest event, which was intended to entice students to meet the candidates running in this week’s A.S. elections.
At any point during the 90 minute event, which was advertised as “”Free Pizza With the Candidates,”” only five or six students peppered a sea of candidates in brightly colored shirts.
“”I don’t know why more students aren’t showing up,”” said A.S. elections committee member Lincoln Hurlbut. “”I mean, there is free pizza.””
Indeed, many of the students present didn’t want political information — just free lunch.
Earl Warren College sophomore Reid Barrett pointed to his slice of cheese as the sole reason for his attendance.
Muir junior Johanna Lizaola light-heartedly expressed similar sentiments.
“”All they have is free cheese pizza … I need veggies to think about real issues,”” she said.
Still, Elections Manager Jessica Williams declared the event a success.
“”I am happy with the turnout,”” she said. “”The students are also staying longer than I expected.””
A few students did take advantage of the event to fill their brains in addition to their stomachs. Muir senior James Ling and Muir junior Cady Staff listened keenly to commissioner of programming candidate Gabe Grossman as he explained his platform.
Similarly, Revelle College senior Eric Kendall, who originally came to the event for pizza, found himself grilling vice president of finance candidate Garo Bournoutian on athletic fees.
However, without enough constituents to go around, many candidates found themselves conversing with each other, often times across slate lines.
“”This is a great way for candidates to meet each other,”” said New Wave’s Muir sophomore senator candidate Mark Schultzel, who was talking with opponents Jeremy Cogan and David Hughes.
Williams expected this communication between candidates.
“”In addition to providing students with an intimate environment . . . to get to know the candidates better, we hope this event also [served] to get candidates together,”” she said.