The month has arrived, where a new pool of contenders have stepped forward to represent the student body’s interests here at the University of Idaho. As campaigns for the ASUI Senate have gone underway, seven open seats remain and 16 candidates stand ready to fill the positions.

This week, they will make their public appearance before the student body at three open forums. While dates are to be determined, two will be held at the Idaho Commons and one at the Greek presidents’ council. There are hopes for high attendance, as these events are their largest opportunity to interact with voters prior to elections on Nov. 16-18.

Below is some brief information on each of the candidates and links to any Facebook campaign pages.

Mackenzie McDonald and Tanner Beymer: https://www.facebook.com/MacDonaldBeymer/?fref=ts

McKenzie McDonald is a sophomore and current ASUI senator who is double majoring in political science and economics. She lives in the residence halls and plans to become a civil litigation attorney. Her running mate, Tanner Beymer, is a senior running for senate after a 4 year career in ASUI. He is a member of Alpha Gamma Rho and majoring in agricultural economics. They have teamed up to promote the core values of community, efficiency and accountability, which they believe will help them best serve and represent the students’ interests.

Dominic Delatorre and Jessica Gee

Dominic Delatorre is a freshman from Middleton, Idaho and member of FIJI fraternity. He is double-majoring in pre-medicine and statistics with the overall goal to attend medical school. His running mate, Jessica Gee, is from Idaho City and is a writer for the Argonaut and member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She is studying political science and journalism with the hopes of going to law school. As a team they are primarily focused on safety and community. They would like to improve the Safe Walk program and make it more noticeable toward students. In addition, they want to actively work with diversity groups to increase their presence on campus.

Cortney Hudson and Charles Price

Cortney Hudson is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering. She has lived in the residence halls and is a member of Kappa Delta who is affiliated with the Society of Women in Engineering and School of Music. Along with her running mate, Charles Price, a sophomore studying chemistry and chemical engineering, they plan to improve the variety and quality of on-campus food with healthier and more affordable options. In addition, they want to develop a greater mutual understanding among living groups and represent all student interests.

Meredith Claire Breen: https://www.facebook.com/Meredith-Breen-for-ASUI-S...

Meredith Breen is a sophomore from Middleton, Idaho and comes from an entire family of UI alumnus. She is majoring in anthropology and works for the Wallace information desk for the University of Idaho Housing office. She is running in order to create a stronger bond of the campus community to foster success through the opportunity for more Vandals to become connected. Another issue she focuses to address is the deterrence of sexual assault on campus by creating more campus discussion that hopes to encourage bystanders to take action.

Anne Zabala: https://www.facebook.com/zabalaforsenate/?fref=ts

Anne Zabala is a senior and former ASUI lobbyist studying english and organizational science. She works as an Alternative Service Break Coordinator in the Volunteer Center. Her focus for running is based on the elements of engagement, community and productivity. Through this platform some issues she plans to address is to centralize spending on apparel, make campus more bike-accessible and the creation of regular times senators should be speaking to students on campus.

Laura Ehman: https://www.facebook.com/events/1511319872498676/

Laura Ehman is a junior is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta who serves on the Student Alumni Relations Board. She recently returned from a study abroad trip and her main priority is to promote awareness of sexual assault. She is also an advocate for improving multicultural affairs, the Katy Benoit Safety Week and Moscow-Pullman bus program.

Quincy Smith

Quincy Smith is a student-athlete from New Orleans, Louisiana studying public relations and communications. His interests include football and reading about success to inspire others. He is running to create events that allow athletes to feel more connected to the student body. One idea he would like to push for is the creation of a big brother program to help freshmen adjust to college life and encourage socialization.

James Howard

James Howard is a freshman from Fruitland, Idaho living in the Wallace residence hall. He is majoring in business and economics and works at Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters. He graduated high school in 2013, but spent two years working and traveling to the Philippines. His goal is to make the University of Idaho a leading self-sustaining university. He also wants to improve the livability of campus through the improvement of residence halls and food services for a more healthier and enjoyable environment.

Abbygale DeLeon

Abbygale DeLeon is a sophomore majoring in history and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Interested in politics, she plans to attend law school with the desire to become a prosecuting attorney. In addition, her goals for senator are to create a higher awareness of both community and campus events and wants to improve relations between Greek life and residence halls. Some ways she plans to achieve her goals is through more meet-and-greet events with ASUI and better informing the student body of ASUI.

Drayke Hilpert

Drayke Hilpert is a freshman in Kappa Kappa Gamma majoring in international studies. Her goal is to someday have a career in politics, wants to make a positive difference around campus and “Vote Drayke with a ‘y’ because ‘y’ wouldn’t you?”

Dakota Lynd

Dakota Lynd is a freshman in the Kappa Delta sorority. She is originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and is studying biology, pre-medicine and Spanish.

Rachael Miller and Cruz Botello: https://www.facebook.com/BotelloMiller/?pnref=story

Rachael Miller and Cruz Botello are both currently ASUI senators running for reelection. Rachael is a junior studying political science and public relations, as well as a member of Alpha Phi. Her running mate, Cruz Botello, is a sophomore who serves on the Student Alumni Relations Board and a member of in FIJI. Together their goal is to represent every demographic of the student body and interests which are under-represented. Their platform is based on the three factors: improvement of facilities, industry and movement. They specifically want to take a more influential role in the transformation of the main floor of the Idaho Commons, professor usage of BlackBoard Learn, and the legislative support for medical amnesty.

Rachael Miller is the Editor in Chief of Odyssey.