Lambden and Lindsey move on to runoff election

After weeks of collecting signatures, holding rallies in the Pit and attending debates, Will Lindsey and Christy Lambden are in the home stretch for student body president.

The Board of Elections announced that Lindsey and Lambden will move on to a runoff election Tuesday, Feb. 19, as no single candidate garnered a majority of votes.

Lindsey — who gathered the most petition signatures to get on the ballot — collected 37 percent of the vote .

“I am so honored and so excited,” Lindsey said. “We’ve been working so hard and reaching out to many students, and it is unbelievable.”

Lambden collected 22 percent of the vote and had the most endorsements from student organizations.

“I’m feeling incredibly honored — delighted at the opportunity to reach out to more people,” he said.

Candidate Rob Jones collected 11 percent of the vote. He said he was proud of all the people he worked with.

“We’re disappointed — we thought we did our best job,” he said. “It’s been a long couple weeks, but I think we can look back and say that we gave our best effort.”

Candidate Hetali Lodaya collected 19 percent of the vote.

“I’m happy with everything we did ­­— I’m happy with my ideas, I love my team, and I’m really proud of what we did here.”

Lodaya said she is looking forward to continuing her involvement in student government.

“I’m excited to work with (Lindsey and Lambden) and to work with whoever ends up being elected,” she said.

Kevin Claybren collected 11 percent of the vote.

“This is an experience that I would not trade for the world,” he said.

Despite his loss, Claybren said he is excited about the two remaining candidates.

“The students voted for them and their issues — I just hope they stay to the core of (their) values when it comes down to it,” he added.

Tuesday’s turnout — 5,691 students, or about 19 percent of the student body — was an increase from last year’s record low of 4,507 votes.

In an effort to increase voter turnout, Lindsey and Lambden said they will strengthen their campaign efforts during the next week.

“I think it’s a case of doing a lot of what we’ve been doing already — move the message a little bit further,” Lambden said.

Lindsey said he will continue to campaign in the Pit to keep students engaged in the election.

“As campaigners we need to keep people involved and informed. We need to keep enthusiasm high.”

Staff writers Trevor Casey, Kristen Skill and Hailey Vest contributed reporting.

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.