Update 02/09/2023, 10:40 p.m.: Current Student Body President Taliajah “Teddy” Vann has made a statement on her Instagram story regarding the suspension of 2023 presidential candidate and Undergraduate Vice President Sam Robinson.
She said she stands in solidarity with the leaders of the Campus Y.
"More to say soon and more I'm sure you'll all learn," Vann's story post said. "For now, please just remember that above all, My responsibility is to represent students and to keep them safe, and I will never shirk that duty by being silent or complicit."
UNC Undergraduate Vice President Sam Robinson announced he has ended his bid for 2023 student body president after being confirmed yesterday as a certified candidate on the ballot.
"Regretfully, I have made the decision to immediately end my campaign for Student Body President," the Instagram post read. "At this time, I do not believe that I have the ability to stand for election as your next President."
Throughout his campaign, Robinson was endorsed by organizations such as the UNC Young Democrats and other campus leaders. Both of these groups have since removed Instagram posts endorsing him.
Megan Murphy and Laura Saavedra Forero, the co-presidents of the Campus Y, initially endorsed Robinson's campaign. They posted a statement on social media on behalf of Jailyn Neville, Rebecca Segal, Eleanor Bolton, Logan Kaelin and themselves withdrawing their endorsement.
“We value the transparency, integrity and the protection of all marginalized groups and Carolina students,” the post read. “We find any additional work on the Sam Robinson for Student Body President Campaign to directly contradict those values. For this reason, as a collective of leaders, we are resigning from our positions and terminate any further affiliation with the Sam Robinson for Student Body President Campaign effective immediately.”
