In a 32-13 vote, the SGA Senate rejected President Elliot Spillers’s nomination of Chisolm Allenlundy for chief of staff. Five senators either abstained or were absent.
As a result of the failure to confirm the nomination of Allenlundy, the SGA cannot proceed with other nominations for executive positions.
“If we decide to not confirm him, then who? The SGA bylaws state that no other executive officers can be appointed until this guy or female, the chief of staff, is elected by us. If we decide no today, then what happens next,” said Senator Dalton Beasley. “Our SGA is stagnant at that point.”
Spillers spoke in favor of Allenlundy before the voting process in an attempt to show that he was the right man for the job.
“For three years, I’ve known Chisolm, and for three years he has devoted his time and effort to the SGA,” Spillers said.
Beasley and Senator Patrick Fitzgerald gave speeches in affirmation of Allenlundy. According to both, Allenlundy had the necessary experience with SGA and the right skills to be a good chief of staff.
Others, like Senator Jackson Britton, disagreed that Allenlundy was ready for the job.
“He’s a great guy. He’s passionate, he loves the students, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the right candidate,” Britton said. “This specific job of chief of staff is one of the most important roles in the SGA. You have to have certain experiences, not something like the senate, but true exec experience.”
After the meeting, Allenlundy said he was disappointed in the outcome, but still hopes to keep the SGA moving forward.
“It’s kind of what I expected a little bit. That’s the nature of politics. My main concern really is just trying to figure out how to make this work,” Allenlundy said. “Like one of the senators said, the other appointed positions can’t be made until the chief of staff is taken care of, and so my concern is just trying to figure out how to make that work so that SGA can stay together.”
The following senators voted against confirming Allenlundy’s nomination: Reece Bell, Lee Bonner, Jackson Britton, Jeff Burnstine, Emily Cerrina, Cassie Clifton, Zachary Cox, Rebecca Denson, Emily Ferons, Alexandrea Friar, Alex Grady, Jack Grantham, Reagan Hattaway, Alyssa Kessler, Paige Lindgren, Rebecca Lutonsky, Lance McCaskey, Joan McGill, Caroline Miller, Thomas Mills, Sarah Patterson, Tyler Portanova, Sarah Puckett, Lillian Roth, Alex Smith, Caroline Smith, David Solon, Tyson Steere, Marissa Turk, Hayley White, Blake Wing and Megan Wingbermuehle.
The following senators voted in favor of confirming Allenlundy’s nomination: J. Lucas Adair, Sam Baker, Dalton Beasley, Patrick Fitzgerald, Bria Harper, Nick Key, Kever Lewis, Kelsi Long, Landon Nichols, Hunter Richey, Megan Root, Reid Ruggles and Jon Vincent.
Gian Dalpethado, Rachael Hartley, Hilary Kustoff, Evan Ogden and Alli Selman either abstained or were absent.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article said Bria Harper voted against Allenlundy’s confirmation and Rebecca Denson voted in favor of his confirmation. This was incorrect. Harper voted in favor of the confirmation and Denson voted against the confirmation. The Crimson White regrets this error and is happy to set the record straight.
