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Elizabeth Adkins wins student body presidential race

Maurice Grier and Elizabeth Adkins embrace in the Student Union after Adkins was declared student body president on Friday night. 

Maurice Grier and Elizabeth Adkins embrace in the Student Union after Adkins was declared student body president on Friday night. 

Elizabeth Adkins was voted the student body president for the 2017-2018 academic year on Friday night. 

The official declaration of her as president is pending the approval of financial forms that will be submitted to the UNC Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Adkins won 55.39 percent of the 2,289 votes cast in the runoff election.

Wiping away tears, Adkins said she was excited about her win and eager to implement her platform as soon as possible.

"I'm just, I don't even have words. I'm speechless. It has been a long time coming and this has been a dream of mine for so long, since I stepped foot on this campus," Adkins said. "For it to be real right now and to be able to share (the win) with these people, who really made it happen, really means the world."

Her competitor, Maurice Grier, received 44.6 percent of the vote.

"It was definitely a very great race," Grier said. "I'm very appreciative to have had the opportunity to share my message of love. I'm very, very happy that Elizabeth did win. You know, it would have been great to win, but I know that student government is in good hands with (Adkins)."

Joanna Zhang, the vice president of the BOE announced the results in the Student Union to a group of friends and family of the candidates.

"I think that this election was a very close result and both candidates ran a very, very competitive and intense race," Zhang said. "The best of luck to everyone."

Sarah Leck, Adkins' campaign manager, said she was thrilled, not only about the win, but also about the future of the University.

"I can't think of a more qualified candidate (for student body president)," Leck said. "She has done so much for this University already. She really loves the University, and because she loves it so much I think that she really has this drive to better the University."

university@dailytarheel.com

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