Led by its presidential nominee Anthony Burgio, the Elevation Party swept the Student Association elections Wednesday night with landslide numbers.
Burgio, Vice presidential candidate Dela Yador and Treasurer candidate Jessica Dangler will occupy the executive board offices in 350 Student Union next year.
"It wasn't a win - it was a mandate by the students," said Burgio, who received 1,311 of 2,246 total votes, more than twice his closest competition, the Ascension Party ticket of Timothy Kelly and Chad Williams, who received 586.
"I won't let you down," said Burgio in a short victory speech to his cheering party members and supporters. "And to the opposition, I hope we can find a way to work together."
The turnout of 2,246 was the highest in years, according to Nicholas Dunford, SA's elections and credentials chairman.
After the results were announced in the crowded SA office, Kelly immediately made his way over to Burgio to congratulate him.
"They did a good job," said Kelly, who admitted he was disappointed but said he will do whatever he can to help SA next year.
Dangler, who replaces Burgio as treasurer next year, received 1,193 votes - more than 2.5 times her nearest competitor, Lorenzo Guzman, an independent candidate.
The Elevation Party candidates for SUNY SA delegate positions captured all four seats. Robert Batdorf, Russell Cox II, Emily Johnson, and Thomas Martin will represent UB in the statewide student government next year.
"All of the hard work paid off," said Martin. "We're pretty ambitious and have a lot of high goals. I have every inclination of following through on everything I want to do."
Yador said he was more relieved than anything else.
"I can finally get some sleep," said Yador, who added that one of the first things he will do as vice president is paint the office white.
SA President George Pape was all smiles after Burgio's big win.
"Anthony has my full confidence," said Pape. "I had great expectations for Mr. Burgio, and he exceeded them all."
As the crowd of candidates was herded from the hallway outside of the SA office inside to hear the results, Pape's face wore a look of deep concern, concealing the results of the election until the moment they were read aloud.
"Maybe if law doesn't work out I'll go into acting," said Pape, whose act fooled many into thinking an upset had occurred. "Well, I guess they're the same thing," he said with a laugh.
Pape, as well as many of the candidates, addressed the recent cover story in Generation Magazine with the headline "Access Denied."
"I think Anthony handled everything the press threw at him with great diligence and professionalism, and it showed through at the end," said Pape.
"Access Granted!" someone shouted in the mayhem of the celebration, an allusion to the headline in last week's Generation magazine.
Burgio said he believes the magazine was trying to smear his campaign, but what Generation did not count on, according to Burgio, is that any press is good press.
"I think people gave SA a lot more credit than Generation thought," said Burgio. "It was the backfire of the century."
After hundreds of hugs and handshakes, the sharply dressed candidates filed out of the SA office and out for a night of celebration.
"We're going to drink, we're going to have a good time," yelled Burgio while standing on top of a desk in the SA office. "I'm buying for everyone
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
