On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA) will announce the senators for the class of 2029 via a schoolwide email. 12 first-year candidates are running for eight seats for the 2025–2026 academic year. After election, senators will serve on various WSA committees, such as Student Budget, Student Life, and Academic Affairs.
During a required meeting in Boger Hall on Sunday, Sept. 14, candidates had the opportunity to learn about the election procedure and rules. According to candidate Lucas Holman ’29, the discussion topics included the campaign budget, guidelines around campaigning online, banned activities, and using platforms like Instagram or Facebook for campaigning. According to the WSA Election Rules sent in a campuswide email, “campaigning is permitted and encouraged,” prompting candidates to launch their campaigns with creative strategies.
One new campaign tactic used this election has been to post edited photomontages on Fizz, an anonymous social media app used by University students.
“No fake promises just real progress,” a post reads, featuring Omar Dweck ’29 standing red-eyed behind two cardinals, with lightning as the backdrop. “Omar on deck what’d you expect?”
The list of candidates has been made available to the class of 2029 through the voting form on WesNest. Many candidates also made themselves known by word of mouth or by using the bulletin boards in different residence halls and communal spaces.
“We’re going to be here [for] the next four years, and I feel like these four years are so fundamental,” candidate Lucia Martinez-Pelaez ’29 said. “Students should have a say in how our life plays out. I hope people vote for me because they trust me. It genuinely is that simple.”
Another candidate, Nolan Yencho ’29, spoke about his campaign tactics. His main strategy has been circulating posters around campus and engaging with peers, he says.
“My favorite part about campaigning so far has been getting to know a ton of new people,” Yencho said. “I [ask] them, ‘Hey, would you please vote for me?’”
Similarly, Holman shared that his favorite part of the campaigning process has been interacting with the student body.
“There’s something more fun about campaigning conversationally than with posters,” Holman said.
Some candidates also shared their experiences with fellow contenders, highlighting their shared camaraderie and teamwork.
“Even though we’re all competing against each other, we are very supportive,” Bela Bhushan ’29 said. “Yesterday, when I was in the library and I was so overwhelmed, one of the people running came up to me and [said,] ‘Hey, are you okay?’ I think it really showed me that the candidates have the ability to separate competitiveness and also just being human, and I really appreciate that.”
Another candidate, Makayla Kidd ’29, also expressed her gratitude towards other candidates.
“Seeing how many students want to instill some change within the [school], I just want to say to all the [candidates] that you’re great and I’m proud of us all,” Kidd said.
Students in the class of 2029 may vote for up to eight candidates via WesNest. Voting closes on Friday, Sept. 19, at 10 p.m.
Raiza Goel can be reached at rgoel@wesleyan.edu.
Akari Ikeda can be reached at aikeda@wesleyan.edu.
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