On a platform that featured the installation of a Jumbotron television screen at Kenan Stadium, Willett defeated candidate Chris Gore with 61.4 percent of the vote to his 28.9 percent. There were 6,315 total votes cast for the office.
Willett showed little outward reaction when the numbers were released but said she was surprised and glad to hear the results.
"It was a shock when I first heard," she said. "Now is the exciting part."
Peppers' votes did not end up being a factor in the race.
Willett said she spent Tuesday working to increase voter turnout. She said her campaign organized a "beach day" in the Pit to boost enthusiasm.
Before the numbers were announced, Gore said he had spent the last day of the campaign trying to reach out to student voters. Gore said he and his supporters were campaigning in campus residence halls until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Gore said he was disappointed with the results but did not regret running. "We ran on what we believed."
During the campaign, Willett received support from the Young Democrats and The Daily Tar Heel, while Gore was backed by the Black Student Movement and Carolina Fever, a subgroup of CAA.
Some of Gore's supporters said during the campaign that Willett's plan to install an instant replay screen at the football stadium was impossible.
But Willett defended the feasibility of that platform goal Tuesday night, explaining that she never intended CAA to handle or fund all of the screen installation.
Gore said he hopes Willett will incorporate some of his ideas in the coming year, including giving students more riser seats at the Smith Center for basketball games, organizing pep rallies before big events and moving basketball ticket distribution back to 9 a.m.
Willett recommended moving the time to 7 a.m. Now, tickets are distributed at 6 a.m.
Willett said that while she will take Gore's suggestions to heart, she will focus more on the ideas in her platform.
She said her first priority is completing a diverse Cabinet from all parts of campus life, inviting many from her campaign staff to join her Cabinet.
The rest of the staff will be filled from an application process open to the entire student body.
Gore said he is willing to work with CAA next year. "I offer myself to the CAA if they want to listen to me."
When asked if she would recruit Gore to her Cabinet, Willett said, "He's more than welcome to pick up an application."
Gore said he looked forward to finally getting some rest Tuesday night. "I'm thinking about my bed and my pillow and how I'm going to sleep tomorrow."
Willett said she gave Gore credit for running a good campaign. She said she is looking forward to what she can accomplish and that she also enjoyed the campaign process.
"It's been a wonderful experience."
The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.
