Ayon wins treasurer's seat

Inexperienced candidate beats A.S.I. senator in runoff election

Self-proclaimed outsider Sal Ayon defeated Justin Ramirez in a runoff race for the Associated Students Inc. treasurer position on Wednesday.

"I'm in shock," Ayon said. "I was the underdog. I have faith in God and it was God's will."

Ayon, a junior majoring in Chicano studies and political science, captured 1,013 votes (57.3 percent) while Ramirez, the current A.S.I. senator of the College of Liberal Arts, received 755 votes (42.7 percent).

Student Life and Development Director Stuart Farber said it was a surprisingly strong turnout for a run-off election.  Ayon ran a flamboyant campaign that included throwing a barrel full of fake money to students during his campaign speech on Mar. 23 and handing out free condoms with campaign literature.

"I knew it was going to be a close race," Ramirez said. "He ran an awesome campaign and I think it really paid off.''

"I've always wanted to represent the people," said Ayon, a member of the La Raza Student Association. "They always stress that anyone from outside A.S.I. can't do a good job. I want to prove them wrong."

Ayon said he wants to conduct student forums where students can discuss with A.S.I. representatives how to spend their money. He also wants to assist new student organizations unfamiliar in applying for A.S.I. funding.

"Up and coming student organizations need to be empowered," Ayon said.

A.S.I. President Toby Sexton believes Ayon will represent the campus' diverse student body and will not punish students for missing grant application deadlines.

"It's a great day to be a member of an ethnic cultural organization," Sexton said. "Sal is someone who will take a stand. He will not hide behind policies.

"I think he's going to add an element of diversity to the executive board that wouldn't be there. He's a workhorse.
He'll do whatever it takes. Once they get to work with him I think he'll inspire the people who will be there."

A.S.I. Vice-President Sheryl "Shorty" Mauricio agreed.

"One of the positive things about having a newcomer come in is to get new ideas and new programs," Mauricio said. "It gives us a chance to be more dynamic.

"The university has been so stagnant for such a long time. I think we need new ideas and new programs."

Williams and Ramirez were unsure how Ayon would handle the responsibilities of being treasurer.

"I think it will be a difficult transition, but with the help of Rochelle and Shorty things will be fine for next year," Ramirez said. "Whatever he has planned it should be interesting to see."

"It's a very demanding position," said Williams, who said her long hours preparing A.S.I.'s annual budget prevented her from devoting as much time to campaigning as she would have liked. "He has no experience with how A.S.I. functions. With him, it's up in the air. He's going to be learning about everything from scratch."