The House Elects it's Team
By Maya Holsopple
The House Democratic Caucus had many people running for leadership positions. After 3 introductions Dakota Gordan, representing UIS, was elected into the position of Majority Leader. In the previous year, he was elected into the position of Assistant Majority leader. After the Caucus elections, Dakota stated that “being the Assistant Majority leader was a lot of fun, but he wanted to take his position a step further.” When asked what his main priority was he said he “wants to make sure everyone has fun while debating and getting everyone to speak is fun, he wants to make sure everyone is ‘loose’ and having a great time, and make new friends.”
Fiel Wilson, Representing Prairie State College, ran and won the position of Assistant Majority Leader. in his speech, he stated that he wanted to work closely with Gordon, as he believes that everyone should have a voice and wants all of us to have fun with MIG as best as possible. He stated that everyone should have a voice.
The election for Whip was a popular one, with 7 candidates. The three elected were Abbie Hasty of UIS, who will serve as Whip for her second year, Tobias Hamlin of Southeastern Illinois College, and Ashley Carrillo of Eastern Illinois University. All of them are excited to hear the voices of the people and let them be heard.
Senate Democrats Make Strong Statement
by Ryland Roberts
“Chewing bubblegum and kicking republican...” Newly appointed Democratic Majority Leader Ben Gully Won in Tight Race
A promise made today of “Chewing bubblegum and kicking republican...” won Ben Gulley a roar of applause (and laughter) and the vote for Democrat Majority Leader. It was still a tough race with a three way tie with Senator Lanetta Thomas of Governor State University, and Senator Cameron Ryan of Northern Illinois University. The restlessness in the room still held its place as another three way tie was introduced with Senator Angel Nunez of Roosevelt University, Senator Mariano Ballines of Northern Illinois University, and Senator Mahmoud Hakim, the three that have won the votes of the senate for Whip. With the handful that have voted for Senator Thomas to take the seat of Majority Assistant Leader.
Majority Leader Gulley, a student from Southeastern Illinois College, won in the tight race for Democrat Majority Leader against a handful of senators. “All my life I’ve been surrounded by corn and rednecks.” Majority Leader Gulley proclaimed in his speech, promising for all the senators' voices to be heard and helping them where they need help.
Newly appointed Assistant Majority Leader Lanetta Thomas came in with a positive attitude after losing the second vote for majority leader. ”In order to be a leader you must follow as well”, Thomas stated in her speech prior to her win. She promised a bipartisan view in the senate.
Whip Ryan Cameron, Mariano Ballines, and Mahmoud Hakim were appointed today. All had an equal promise of helping the senate.
House Republican Caucus Meeting: A Conferring of Thoughts
By Leslie Lozada
On February 29. 2024, the House Republicans met and appointed members for the following roles: the minority leader, the assistant minority, and the minority whips. The vote to swear in the minority whips ended in a three-way tie, with Tyler Vollintine of University of Illinois Springfield, Pia Lopez Purdue University Northwest, and one other delegate all winning.
Representative Vollintine, who also ran for the minority leader and the minority assistant, said in his pitch for the minority whip position, “If one word can describe me, it would be persistent.” In an interview after the meeting, he said on his future plans to lead, “I’m happy to lead my party and get some bills knocked down.”
Representative Lopez, who was one of the whips members sworn in, said in an interview that she wanted to get some practice to run for an E-board position, “However, I feel like I need to appeal to a local level first... so I can be the best leader I can.”
The room separated into three committees in order to pick one representative for the Spokesperson for the Committee of the House. On one side of the room, one group resolved to pick their representative through a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The House Republicans will confer at 11:00 pm in Room 2106 for a leadership meeting.
Story on Senate Republican Caucus will be coming soon!
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