The Bollinger Memorial Student Union was buzzed in anticipation for the results of the Student Government Association election on Wednesday afternoon.

Tommy Thibodeaux, a marketing and professional selling sophomore from Thibodaux, won the SGA presidential election, receiving 63 percent while his opponent Meah Johnson had 37 percent.

Because no vice-presidential candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a run-off next week between Austin Wendt and Abigail Ledet. Wendt received 48 percent and Ledet was close behind with 37 percent. The run-off election will take place Sunday, March 20 through Wednesday, March 23.

Thibodeaux received 527 votes, while Johnson received 312 votes.

Thibodeaux said he was excited and almost speechless after hearing SGA election commissioner, Carolanne Moore, announce his name.

“This was something I’ve been working for and dreaming of for a while, and for it all to come true is a great experience,” Thibodeaux said.

Thibodeaux thanked the voters for their support and said, “It’s not possible without them. Their voices will now be represented at the highest level and I’m going to the very best job to represent Nicholls to the best of my abilities.”
As president-elect, Thibodeaux will work with current SGA president Lillie Bourgeois during the transition phase and he will soon appoint his executive board.

Bourgeois said, “We all had great candidates running this year and I knew it was going to be very close, which it was, but I’m definitely happy with the results and I look forward to passing the torch and working with them next year.”
Thibodeaux’s campaign slogan was “A Dependable Voice for Nicholls,”and is focusing heavily on advocating on being able to help get answers to questions about the problems facing higher education.

Earlier this year Thibodeaux said, “The truth is that higher education is in trouble. I want to be the voice and the experienced leader that Nicholls needs.”

After the announcement, Ledet said she was still nervous and feeling a little surprised about the run-off and excited to have another chance.

“We were expecting there could possibly be a run-off. I’m very excited about being a part of the run-off,” Wendt said. “That just means more campaigning that we have to do, which I’m really excited about. I think the students are going to be open to my platform and the changes I want to make to the student government to help the students out in the best way possible.”

Ledet’s slogan is “For Nicholls, For a Change,” to highlight her dedication to changing Nicholls for the better. If elected, she would like to create an open-door policy for students as well as promote Nicholls in the local community.

“I want to be able to get students more involved, so that they feel comfortable coming to SGA with their questions and concerns. For example, if people may have questions regarding the budget crisis, they would come to SGA to get more information about what’s going on,” Ledet said. “I want to promote Nicholls in other communities so that more people can attend, and to get the Nicholls spirit up. I want to get more students going to extracurricular activities and sporting events because I feel those activities don’t get enough credit.”

Wendt said he hoped his slogan, “United in Purpose,” will serve as a “representative voice unifying all students together. Whether black, white, gay, straight, jock or academic, we can all find a common place to build a stronger Nicholls State.”
One of his main goals is to facilitate more interaction between the SGA and student programing association.

“What I am really passionate about is being able to work with the SPA. It surprises me that two organizations that are solely there to enhance the student’s life on this campus do not collaborate at all,” Wendt said. “If elected, I want to form a joint committee comprised of members from both SGA and SPA that would tackle the serious lack of school spirit we have. Its main objective would be to set in place initiatives to increase school spirit and attempt unifying the campus as a whole.”

Wendt said his major goal is to be more available to students.

“I want to be the kind a vice-president that is easily accessible to the students. If they have ideas that they want in place, they can come to me, and we can talk and form an action plan, and try to get results,” Wendt said.