After a close race and some controversy … it's decided
Hollinger wins SGA presidential race, gaining 53 percent of votes
Rachel Hatzipanagos
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News
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There was a lot at stake. More than three weeks of campaigning. Thousands of dollars spent gathering votes. Sunburns and sleep deprivation kept candidates on edge as accusations of dirty campaigning grew.
Groups of supporters in dark blue or red T-shirts huddled together in the area outside of the Student Union in the final hours before the polls closed. Any spontaneous applause was greeted with groans when supporters realized the applause was not to herald the announcing of results.
Brandie Hollinger's face looked tense the moments before the announcement. Then the results: Hollinger had gathered 53 percent of the vote and was the new SGA president.
Students had elected UCF's first female president Brandie Hollinger in a close race.
"I feel incredible," Hollinger said as she hugged friends, campaigners and running mates after the win. "I'm shaking; I just want to thank my volunteers again. Thank you so much."
Immediately after the results were announced, the area in front of the Union exploded into a scene of animated excitement, with supporters and campaigners on both sides jumping up and down like they were at a concert.
Supporters of Hollinger and vice president elect Logan Berkowitz were relieved.
"The hard work has paid off," said campaigner Max Friedman.
The moment the announcement was made, Eingold/Smith supporter Zach Nissen did the unexpected: he also jumped for joy.
"Forty-seven percent! Forty-seven percent! Whooo!" Nissen said.
That was the reaction of most of the Eingold/Smith ticket.
The loss was considered somewhat of a victory for the "progressive" party. Last year when Eingold ran for vice president, the ticket only gained 20 percent of the votes.
With the campaigning behind them, the need for rest was felt on both sides.
"I'm going to be glad to sleep," Hollinger said. "After this, I'm going to go home, sit down and then we're going to go out and paint the town red."
Eingold said he's had a tough week of campaigning.
"I feel like a plane just landed on me," Eingold said two hours before the results were announced. "My throat hurts. I'm nauseous. I'm sunburned. I'm exhausted. I've had my feelings hurt a lot in the campaign."
Eingold cited the spreading of rumors - such as one claiming he denies the Holocaust - as one factor that brought him down this week.