Phil Palisoul, the Together Our Goals Are Achieavable slate’s candidate for A.S. president, announced Wednesday that he has withdrawn from the election and that he will support New Wave’s candidate Dave Hansen.
Guardian
Palisoul said he made his decision to support Hansen and to draw votes away from contenders Colin Parent of the Action slate and Jenn Brown of the Students First slate.
“”I truly feel [Hansen] is the best candidate for the job,”” Palisoul said. “”He is dedicated to the improvement of campus life. He is not out for personal gain. He is truly dedicated toward improving student life.””
Palisoul’s decision came after he was not endorsed by the Triton Athletics Council and the Guardian, he said.
The TOGAA and New Wave slates are similar in their expressed desire for increased student life reforms and getting fresh blood into the A.S. Council, Palisoul said.
Most of Palisoul’s slate followed his lead and withdrew from the election. Stefanie Barrierre, who is running for A.S. services and enterprises commissioner, is the only remaining TOGAA candidate.
Palisoul said he believes that Barrierre has what it takes to win her race.
By Wednesday, a New Wave shirt-wearing Palisoul could be found campaigning beside Hansen on Library Walk.
“”I am honored by Phil’s support,”” Hansen said.
Parent was not as impressed by Palisoul’s announcement.
“”I wasn’t counting on the crew team vote anyway,”” Parent said, referring to Palisoul’s athletic focus.
Palisoul, an advocate of change in UCSD’s student government, believes that Parent and Brown represent the worst of the current A.S. Council establishment.
“”[Parent and Brown] are the ultimate politicians that are too happy with the status quo,”” he said. “”This school needs change at the heart of campus politics.””
Palisoul said he is also very disappointed by campaigning techniques used by Action and Students First.
“”I could write a book on all the crap that Colin [Parent] and Jenn [Brown] are doing to get elected,”” Palisoul said.
Palisoul said he plans to stay involved and keep his agenda alive.
On a related note, presidential candidate Sam Shahmardi continued campaigning, putting to rest rumors that he has dropped out.
“”I’m still running; I’m independent,”” Shahmardi said. “”There is no reason for me to drop out. I believe I still have a chance. People seem to be relating to me and my campaign.””
UCSD undergraduates can vote on StudentLink until 4 p.m. Friday.
