VSG kick Newcomer out of student government race

The Election Commission Chair has told Jack Newcomer he cannot run as a candidate for the Vanderbilt Student Government, even though the primary has still not been held.

Carly Stone, the Election Commission Chair, told him in an email:  “After looking more carefully at the rules, we cannot have a write-in candidate for the general election.”

However, from careful study of the VSG rule book, write-in candidates can run if a primary has not already been held.

Primary elections are in fact meant to be held after spring break if there are more than two candidates, meaning Newcomer is still eligible to run:

The emails Newcomer showed me confirm that VSG had knowledge of his candidacy, and only invoked their rules after he became a viable candidate, even receiving support from current VSG members dissatisfied with the system.

One VSG member, who wished to remain anonymous said he supports Jack because VSG, “Seems too political and like a dictatorship which is why people don’t like it”.

Another said: “Although I have met a lot of genuine people in VSG, I have also encountered an absurd amount of favoritism. It seems like all the people at the top are all in the same friend group, and only listen to each other. Even being in VSG, I often feel like I do not have a voice.”

Newcomer said he believed VSG thought he would accept defeat when they told him he couldn’t run.

Jack said: “When we first announced our campaign, our main concern was being shut out by higher-ups in VSG. I quickly realized that was going to be a reality and I not only had to win the support of the students, but also go up against a powerful establishment as well.

“We realized there were numerous flaws and inconsistencies both in what I was told by higher-ups in VSG, as well as their constitution and set rules. I hope students who believe in the idea of democracy support me as I believe at the very least I deserve a chance at being elected”.

He emerges more determined than ever to have his voice heard:

“My campaign shows that no matter how much adversity you face, whether it be from the suppression of higher-ups in society, or other reasons, you should always stand up for your ideas and what you believe in. No matter what. Don’t change yourself based on what others tell you to be. Always be yourself, stay true to yourself, and stick to your ideas”.

We have no way of knowing if VSG simply didn’t understand their own rules or if they purposely bent them to help the establishment candidates.

One member of VSG messaged Newcomer’s VP, Dan Stefan on Facebook, discouraging him from running:

Another showed their support, saying they agreed with his campaign and thought it would improve VSG:

What can VSG do next?

• listen to calls from Newcomer’s supporters, and hold a primary on Thursday 17th March, after we get back from break, to decide which two candidates will appear on the ballot out of Cohen, Fowler and Newcomer
• claim Newcomer announced too late, but will keep the write-in candidate option, as they are required to if no primary is held

• ignore the revelations from this article and not have a write-in option on the online ballot. This move would likely increase student alienation towards and the unpopularity of VSG

VSGate continues, and Newcomer’s momentum just increased. Will it be enough for him to make history as first freshman Vanderbilt Student Government president?

Note: we are awaiting comment from the chair of the election commission, Vanderbilt Law Professor Carol Swain, Chancellor Zeppos and several other administrators. Update to follow.