The annual election for a new Temple Student Government administration is here. Temple students are able to vote for whichever of the two campaigns they find more attractive. Students can choose between Temple Tomorrow and TUnited.
Lourdes Cardamone, a junior political science major and criminal justice minor, is running as Temple Tomorrow’s presidential candidate. By her side is Temple Tomorrow’s vice-presidential candidate Janeese Hochstetler. Hochstetler is a junior advertising major with dual concentrations in account management and media planning. The two have worked together in previous years in TSG and Temple Dems, where Cardamone is president.
Yaam Malka is the presidential candidate for TUnited. Malka is a sophomore studying psychology, political science, and economics with the goal of attending law school. Her running mate is junior William Walker, a double major in Secondary Education and Political Science.
The two presidential candidates went head to head answering questions in the final town hall debate of the campaign season. The debate moderator asked a series of questions about topics such as safety, both on and off campus, freedom of expression and speech, and concerns over diversity. After taking turns answering each question for about 40 minutes, the debate was opened to students in the crowd. Students asked questions about how the candidates planned to handle the suspension of Temple’s Students for Justice in Palestine club, and what they will do to boost student engagement with and awareness of student government.
Once the official town hall ended, the presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls from both parties stayed to answer any additional questions from crowd members. We interviewed both candidates from each party.
Temple Tomorrow emphasized how their experience in TSG and other organizations, Janeese and Lourdes both hold leadership roles in the sorority Alpha Xi Delta, and years of working together make them a good team.
“We both have two years combined experience on TSG already, so we know exactly what we can get done within this campaign, hopefully within this next year”, said Hochstetler.
Hochstetler told us about some of the parties’ main policies. Their first move would be to create a cabinet-level DEI position. Other important ones include affordability and sustainability initiatives, and safety and wellness policies.
TUnited is very passionate about their proposed policies. Presidential candidate Yaam Malka was heavily pushing for bringing back the student senate in the debate. Vice-president hopeful William Walker explained why they feel two elected positions for a student body as large as Temple’s is not enough.
“We have so many students, like what, 25,000 students? Two people is not enough elected positions…in times like now I think we need more democracy, more voices at the table.”
Walker also made his wish for increased transparency between Temple’s student government and Temple students clear. He thinks that more honesty and vulnerability from TSG to students will help increase engagement and mutually benefit all groups involved.
In both the debate and our interview, Malka expressed her dissatisfaction with what she calls “constitutional violations”.
“That’s one big thing we want to ensure actually happens this year, is making sure that everything is actually posted six months in advance in accordance to the constitution. We’re not just signing a document, we want to uphold the document.”
While the two parties have their sights set on what they want for the next year, so do students. Sophomore Dylan Vaughan is looking for a breath of fresh air, regardless of who wins the elections.
“New ideas, fresh things, fresh takes, that could be implemented into the school… A new effort, that could reinvigorate the campus.”
Dylan said a problem he sees facing Temple is related to clubs. He feels there are a lot of cool clubs at this school that fly under the radar. When asked how he would like that issue to be addressed, he said he wants a new effort to bring more attention to these small clubs. Vaughan said something to grab more attention to the small clubs like advertisements could help spread awareness.
Vaughan will be one of many to cast their votes for the 2025-2026 student government. Voting opened at midnight on Wednesday, March 26th, and closes at 11:59 PM on Thursday, March 27th. Results and voting percentages will be published by TSG on the 28th. To vote, go to Uvote. The winning party will take office later this year in August.
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