Editor’s note: All candidates were contacted and invited to comment. For those who did not respond, information from the campaign guide and their campaign accounts was included when available. 
Student government and class council elections are quickly approaching.

The Class of 2027 can cast their digital ballots for freshman class president on vote.tamu.edu from Thursday, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m. until Friday, Sept. 29 at 12 p.m.

This year, there are nine candidates on the ballot, however, students can opt to write in students. The fall 2023 candidates guide for freshman class president and student senators can be found at election.tamu.edu.

Tori Chambers 

Bryan-native Tori Chambers is a business administration major and said she’s campaigning to uplift the Class of 2027’s voice. Chambers is a member of the Aggie Investment Club and Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. Chambers said she wants to ensure freshmen have resources for success and professional development, as most resources are directed toward upperclassmen.

“I want to be able to provide a way for people to know about the resources that are already on campus,” Chambers said. “There’s so many that people don’t know about.”

In high school, Chambers served as class president for three years and held multiple student government officer positions.

Henry Smith

Henry Smith is an international studies major from Dallas and said he wants to help the Class of 2027 make its mark on A&M history. Currently, Smith is involved in A&M Model United Nations and Moot Court. Smith said he is campaigning to foster class unity by being readily available to incorporate students’ feedback into events and better class merch.

“I spend multiple hours every single day going around table-to-table or group-to-group meeting every single freshman I possibly can,” Smith said. “If I am elected, everybody will know who I am [and] how to contact me, so they can have input on what their class counsel needs.”

Prior to attending A&M, Smith spent two years participating in student government at a community college in Dallas.

Adelade Edgington

Adelade Edgington is a political science major from Olney and said her campaign is centered on three pillars: respect, cooperation and ambition. Edgington is a Terry Scholar and a member of Aggie Sisters for Christ. Edgington said she wants to gear her future toward working in public service and representing others.

“I will listen to students, and I will consider all ideas and try to get questions answered for [students] and do the best I can to represent them,” Edgington said. “Not necessarily to represent my own opinions and beliefs, but to do what’s best for the class as a whole.”

In high school, Edgington served as president of four different organizations at the same time.

Richard Guo

Richard Guo is a biochemistry major campaigning to improveA&M by representing Aggies, according to the candidates guide. Guo said he hopes to aid freshmen in combating loneliness by implementing a buddy system. Guo’s platform also includes advocating for more parking lots and pushing for a system that allows students to vote on university policies.

Sebastian Pritchard

Sebastian Pritchard is a general engineering major from Denton who hopes to represent 2027’s dynamic and diverse class, according to the candidates guide. Pritchard said he wants to make the most of freshman year through empowerment and collaboration. Pritchard’s platform includes promoting awareness through an online presence, fostering relationships and connecting students with resources.

Bhakti Patel

Bhakti Patel is a biochemistry major and said her campaign is centered around embodying the Aggie Core Values. Patel said she would use her multicultural background and the Core Values to promote inclusivity on campus.

“If I was elected, my biggest priority would be definitely making sure that the traditions that happen on campus are really memorable and [that] they’re great for the freshman class,” Patel said. “I really hope to make the transition of the freshman class easier by really listening to their needs and acting on that.”

Duncan Poling

Duncan Poling is a general engineering major from College Station and a member of the Corps of Cadets in company L-1. Poling said his platform is to commit to A&M’s Core Values and create opportunities for freshmen. Growing up in Aggieland, Poling said he also wants to get freshmen plugged into the Aggie culture and connect them with the community.

“I think the Aggie traditions [are] one of the best ways that students remember their time at A&M,” Poling said. “It’s what many people say is what sets [A&M] apart from other universities.”

In high school, Poling directed a student-led Christian outreach program named GenerationNow, which spanned six schools in Bryan-College Station.

Alejandra Romo

Alejandra Romo is a community health major from Laredo and said she wants to encourage freshmen involvement, ease the transition to college and provide support for first-generation students, according to the candidates guide. Romo said she is a passionate leader who listens to her voters and wants to make the Class of 2027’s time in Aggieland memorable.

Jasper Shaw

Jasper Shaw is an agribusiness major. No additional information was available in the candidates guide.

Editor’s note: The Battalion does not endorse candidates in any elections, on or off campus.