Update: VP candidate drops out; Aguon left as write-in

As the Associated Student Government (ASG) elections approach next week, a vice presidential change has been made on one of the original tickets.

Presidential candidate Laura Aguon originally was running with Nathan Doering as her vice presidential candidate, but has since switched to running with Eduardo Ortiz.

As a result, Aguon’s name will no longer appear on the ballot; Aguon and Ortiz are now write-in candidates.

Doering said he could no longer run with Aguon due to personal reasons. “There were some conflicts and some disagreements,” he said. “I decided I didn’t want to be in her administration.”

Doering said his decision was officially made April 26. “I sat her down at one of these tables (outside the Student Union) and said I don’t want to have a long conversation about this, but I don’t want to be a part of your ticket anymore.”

Doering said he was disappointed he did not get to participate in the vice presidential debates, but added that he may still want to run for president himself as a write-in candidate.

In order to be a write-in candidate, students must be enrolled at MHCC. They must be taking at least six credits and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. They must submit a presidential petition form and an elections form before the polls are open.

Doering said that he is not worried about joining the race a little late. “The last week is always the biggest in these campaigns,” he said. “It’s all about the ground game.”

He said the only thing holding him back from running for the presidency is finding a vice presidential running mate. “I have someone who I really want to run with, but unfortunately they don’t go to this school.”

Ortiz said the transition to running with Aguon has been a good fit.

“Me and Laura have been very good friends for about a year now,” he said. Aguon concurred, saying that, “Eduardo and I are very compatible.”

Ortiz added he has been helping Aguon with her campaign since the beginning, and knew all the ins and outs of what Aguon wanted to do.

“I felt it was my duty to step up because I knew all the points,” he said, adding, “When we prepped for the debates, it wasn’t hard at all because I knew everything.”

Despite the switch, Doering approved of his replacement and still respects his former running mate.

“I love Eduardo, he is a great guy and I think he has a lot of potential,” he said. “Laura and I had disagreements but I still respect her and I think she is a good candidate.”

The respect was mutual, with Aguon saying that, “Nathan knew what was best for him and I respect his decision.”

Doering said that if he doesn’t run for president, he still wants to aid the new president in some way.

“There are some candidates I feel strongly for and would like to help in their campaign,” he said. “I think Laura can do good things, and I think I can do good things, but we can’t do good things together.”