SBP candidate: ‘Write in Brian Min’

Despite his failure to acquire enough signatures to appear on the ballot, Brian Min has not given up in the race for Student Body President.

“I still believe I am the strongest candidate out there and that I can make a difference on campus in this election,” Min said. “Yes, I didn’t make the ballot, but I’m still in this race.”

The decision to create a write-in campaign was not one that Min took lightly, he said. He hopes students won’t write him off just because they don’t think he can win.

“Just because I’m a write-in candidate, people will think I’m a joke because in the past people haven’t been serious,” he said.

Min said he plans to campaign alongside the three candidates on the ballot and will talk to students about his platform in order to promote his candidacy. He’s even created a catchphrase: “Write in Brian Min.”

Min said he was invited to some of the upcoming debates before all of the candidates were confirmed and will use the events, along with social media sites, to get students’ attention.

“I will still be active just like the other candidates, online and offline,” he said.

He said he thinks he has a fair chance in the election because of his unique background. As an international student, Min said he brings something different.

“If there’s at least one person that believes in my platform and ideas, then I won’t give up,” Min said.

Leigh Fairley and Warche Downing, who also failed to receive enough signatures to appear on the ballot, said they have no plans for a write-in campaign, but commend Min on his efforts.

“I have talked to Brian about this, and he feels very strongly about it. So if he has the opportunity to do it, he should go for it,” Fairley said.

Glynnis Ritter, a write-in candidate who received 58 votes during last year’s election, said write-in votes have traditionally been a way to make fun of the political process, but she thinks Min does stand a chance.

“If he’s running with a serious campaign, he has the ability of getting a lot of attention,” she said.

Min will still be required to follow the same regulations as the other two candidates, but might face some obstacles, said Shruthi Sundaram, chairwoman of the Board of Elections.

She said he will have the same spending limit on his campaign but will not receive reimbursement like the other candidates. Yet, Min remains positive.

“It’s going to be difficult, but whether I win or not, I’m pretty sure I’m going to make a statement,” Min said.

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