Presidential Candidates
Hector Araujo
Age: 21
Political Science Junior
Graduation date: May 2012
Served in ASUA before? No
Statement: To empower and engage students through an open-door policy, outreach to clubs and organizations, and creating a diverse administration to better represent students. “”Teamwork makes the dream work.””*
James Allen
Age: 20
Political Science Junior
Graduation date: May 2012
Served in ASUA before? Yes
If so, what positions?: Presidential Chief of Staff 2010-2011 and safety executive director 2009-2010
Statement: “”I have an incredible unyielding passion for student representation and advocacy for underrepresented populations. My drive and experience fuels my efforts to amplify the student voice.””
Daniel Hernandez
Age: 21
Year: Junior
Graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before? Yes
If so, what position(s): Campaign manager
Statement: To introduce legislation regarding work-study programs, increase transparency, collaborating with other organizations such as the Arizona Students’ Association to increase student power.*
Executive Vice Presidential Candidates
Bryan Ponton
Age: 20
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Journalism
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Club advocate, special events.
Statement: “”I want to help clubs. Give them more money, fundraising opportunities, and easier recognition processes. With over 500 clubs, ASUA should do their best to make UA Clubs the best.””
Monica Ruiz
Age: 20
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Psychology
Served in ASUA before? Yes, currently a club advocate.
Statement: “”I have chosen to run because I have multiple, innovative ideas that will improve the Club Resource Center and enhance the student experience with ASUA altogether.””
Administrative Vice Presidential Candidates
Darren Brown Jr.
Age: 19
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: May 2013
Major(s): Pre-Buisness
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Member of Freshman Class Council; currently administrative chief of staff
Statement: “”The potential of Programs & Services is limitless in the programming that can be done by students, for students. I want to be the leader of this major impact on the Univeristy of Arizona campus.””
Brett Ponton
Age: 20
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Marketing
Served in ASUA: Yes
If so, what positions: Freshman Class Council vice president, administrative chief of staff, administrative vice president
Statement: “”With the experiences I’ve obtained as AVP this year, I know the changed that Programs & Services need to make to effectively advocate and educate for students at the UA.””
Brittany Steinke
Age: 20
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): History
Served in ASUA before? Yes
If so, what positions: Spring Fling executive director, Bear Down Camp counselor
Statement: “”I’m running for AVP because I have worked within Programs & Services and I can see improvements that could be made to my area and other areas. I think the position of AVP can be utilized in different ways and I want to explore those options to the fullest.””
Senate candidates:
Raymond Arvizu
Age: 19
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: 2013
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: ASA correspondent
Statement: “”I am running for ASUA senate to restore the integrity of the office. I hope to ensure that all students are equally represented on campus by their ASUA representatives.””
Jarrett Benkendorfer
Age: 21
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: 2012
Major(s): Politica science
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Standards Board director, Appropriations Board director
Statement: “”Bring back the student fee referendum, increase representation. 2 ideas 2 give a voice back 2 you. Jarrett Benkendorfer — giving UA voice.””
Jason Brown
Age: 21
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: chief of staff for the executive vice president
Statement: “”I, as your future senator, will develop an internship fair and help acclimate international students into our amazing UA community.””
Marielos Castro
Age: 19
Year in school: Freshman
Expected graduation date: 2014
Major(s): Pre-public health
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Freshmen class council, Spring-Fling chair
Statement:””I am passionate about the issue of financial access for students. I not only want to be a voice for students on this issue but an advocate in making solutions.””
Carlita L. Cotton
Age: 39
Year in school: Junior
Expected graduation date: May 2012
Major(s): Anthropology
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Appropriation Board director, 2010-2011
Statement: “”I understand challenges; I represent diversity, my goals as Senator are to increase student communication, retention, and integration.””
Blanca C. Delgado
Age: 19
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: May 2013
Major(s): Public health
Served in ASUA before?: No
Statement: “”Dedicating myself to YOUR needs: an affordable education, promoting civic engagement, and supporting a diverse and secure experience!””
Danielle Dobrusin
Age: 20
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: Spring 2013
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before? Yes
If so, what positions: Senate aide
Statement: “”Working as a Senate Aide has allowed me to see that senate can be improved to be more accountable and better represent the student body.””
Kevin Elliott
Age: 20
Expected graduation date: May 2013
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before?: No
Statement: “”I am running for ASUA Senate because I am a student looking to help and give back to a campus that has already provided me with so much.””
Nina Grubisic
Age: 19
Year in school: Freshman
Expected graduation date: 2014
Major(s): Spanish
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Freshman Class Council
Statement: ””I am running for ASUA Senate to broaden the students’ cultural horizons and make transitioning to a new school easier both through positively adjusting and transferring credits from previous schools.””
Kyira Hankton
Age: 18
Year in school: Freshman
Expected graduation date: May 2014
Major(s): Veterinary science
Served in ASUA before: Yes
If so, what positions: executive diversity director
Statement: “”My desire to become a Senator is to provide students with a centralization of information. In addition to increasing diversity through meal selections available to vegetarians, an underrepresented population on campus.””
Shan Harris
Age: 18
Year in school: Freshman
Expected graduation date: May 2014
Major(s): Pre-business
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what position(s): Freshman Class Council
Statement: “”I am running for ASUA Senate because I have a passion to keep students informed about legislative policies and ways to reach out to student through forums and group visits.””
Dylan Janis
Age: 19
Year in school: Freshman
Expected graduation date: 2014
Major(s): Anthropology
Served in ASUA before?: Yes
If so, what positions: Freshman Class Council, Freshman Fee Advisory Board
Statement: “”I am running for senator because I truly believe I have what it takes to do an extraordinary job representing the students of the University of Arizona. I want to be a part of the decision making when it comes to the allocation of money for student run clubs, and drawing up ideas to ensure that ASUA is going above and beyond in terms of representation for the student body.””
Erik Lundstrom
Age: 19
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: December 2012
Major(s): Political science
Served in ASUA before?: No
Statement: “”It is simple: make a budget that works, make an open government, and build connections politically. Branch out and represent students.””
Chandni Patel
Age: 18
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: 2013
Major(s): Psychology
Served in ASUA before? No
Statement: “”I want to be a refreshing voice for the students at UA. This campus has provided so many opportunities to be successful however I believe their is room to change. I hope to make a difference!””
Robert Rosinski
Age: 25
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: 2013
Major(s): Civil engineering
Served in ASUA before? No
Statement: “”I will bring my experience from outside of the college environment, with its unique perspective as a veteran, father, and business owner, and use it to improve the University.””
Josh Ruder
Age: 19
Year in school: Sophomore
Expected graduation date: May 2013
Major(s): Physics
Served in ASUA before?: No
Statement: “”I’m running for senator because I believe I have the capability to make a revolutionary change in students’ access and availability to internships and research opportunities.””
