The Associated Students of the University of Arizona’s primary election results are in, and are setting the stage for a highly anticipated general election. The elections were held from Feb. 25-26, and saw students casting their votes for key leadership positions, including ASUA president, executive vice president and various Senate seats.
Adriana Grijalva emerged as the clear front-runner in the ASUA student body presidential race, winning with an overwhelming 63.62% of the vote. Her nearest competitor, Andrew Pongratz, trailed far behind at 21.81%, while abstentions accounted for 4.24% of the total votes. Grijalva’s decisive victory in the primary suggests strong support for her campaign, which is focused on increasing campus inclusivity, expanding student resources and improving ASUA transparency.
While the presidential race had a clear winner, the contest for executive vice president and administrative vice president were more competitive.
Damantiza Romo secured the EVP nomination with 51.4% of the vote, defeating Benjamin Huffman, who earned 30.4%. The AVP race was even tighter, with Joshua Jaiyeola receiving 44.29% of the vote, edging out Katie Kelliher, who finished with 40.23%. With the margins in these races relatively close, both Romo and Jaiyeola will likely look to solidify their support heading into the general election.
The race for ASUA student body senator saw strong competition, with Eddie Barron leading the pack at 48.36%, followed closely by Katelyn Alvarado at 47.01%. Other candidates, including Ariane Kometa and Carlos Laphond Moreno, also made significant showings, but will need stronger numbers in the general election to secure their spot in student government.
The college-specific Senate races saw a mix of contested and uncontested victories. Louise Taylor secured the College of Humanities seat with 13.56% of the vote, while Ira Puranik won the College of Science seat with 17.4%. Another notable winner was Selena Morales, who won the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences seat with 14.58% of the vote. Arpana Chandrasekar stood out in the W.A. Franke Honors College race, earning 30.28% of the vote.
A total of 885 students participated in the primary election, with a mix of close contests and clear front runners emerging. Although turnout remains relatively modest compared to the university’s overall student population, ASUA leaders hope for increased engagement in the upcoming general election.
With the primary results finalized, all eyes now turned to the general election, where final candidates will compete for their respective positions. Students are encouraged by ASUA to stay informed, tend to campaign events and participate in the next round of voting.
ASUA listed several upcoming dates that are important for the election including when the general election opens, which is Tuesday, March 25 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, March 26 at 8 p.m. Other dates included are:
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 @ 5-7 p.m., Kiva Room, SUMC:
- Tuesday, March 18 from 5–7 p.m. is an ASUA Senate question and answer in the Kiva Room
- Wednesday, March 19 from 5–7 p.m. is an ASUA AVP and EVP question and answer in the Kiva Room
- Thursday, March 20 from 5–7 p.m. is an ASUA student body president question and answer in the Kiva Room
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