Student Government exists to serve and represent all students, according to the student organization database. They annually distribute $2.6 million in student fee revenue to organizations on campus and in Story County. 

The Student Government elections will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, and ballots will be emailed to students’ Iowa State email addresses.

Experience

Josie Pursley, a senior in political science, is running for president and has been involved with Student Government for two years. Pursley currently serves as vice speaker for the Senate. 

“I believe that me and Erik have the experience and skills necessary to be the best candidates for this position,” Pursley said. “It’s a big role and there’s a lot that needs to be done, so focusing on time management, prior experience, being a good leader, I think those are all really important skills required for this role, and I think we possess all of those.”

Her running mate, Erik Rolwes, a junior in industrial design, has been involved in Student Government after a 23-way tie for his seat in the 2024 election. 

“We’re in a unique situation to continue on what the organization has done well because we’ve seen it at its lowest and then at its high,” Rolwes said. “We’ve personally seen what made the organization good and what we can do to make it better.”

Colby Brandt, a junior in agriculture and rural policy studies campaigning for president, said his experience as director of governmental affairs qualifies him because he “gets to represent students at the state, regents and ultimately the federal level.”

“I’ve seen a lot of issues that students are facing and want to make sure they feel heard and represented,” Brandt said.

His running mate, Will Vlasek, a junior studying agriculture systems technology, has no prior experience in Student Government but was an FFA State officer in high school. 

“I came here to Iowa State and gained those hard skills that make me do well in my class, but also a lot of soft skills that allowed me to stand up and speak and share what I believe in and advocate for others,” Vlasek said. “I’m really proud of it and it all kind of stems from FFA, and I’ve been able to excel in leadership positions, but also just being a good person across campus because of it.”

Campaign platforms

The Brandt-Vlasek campaign’s main platform points include:

• Collaborate with the Student Union Board and Homecoming Central to host a Homecoming Week event.
• Ensure Student Government accountability by partnering with the Iowa State Daily to publish a clear, end-of-year recap of how the $95 activity fee is spent.
• Streamline the Student Government Funding process, and ensure that all clubs are eligible for funding.
• Partner with the Iowa State Police Department to grow awareness about Iowa State SafeRide, mobile blue light and ISUPD friend walk/virtual walk home.
• Partner with the Division of Student Affairs to support student safety on 801 Day by providing water and Liquid IV.
• Work with Student Legal Services to raise awareness about the free legal resources on campus. 
• Work with the Department of Transportation to fund an affordable airport shuttle program to ensure students make it home for break.
• Partner with CyRide to have a bus stop screen placed at every on-campus stop.
• Share the resources and knowledge needed to stop sexual violence, before it occurs.

“There has to be a solid reason behind every single decision to make sure we’re documenting and really thinking through every single thing to do within Student Government,” Vlasek said.

Brandt said that they aim to make “real, doable, and fiscally responsible” change on campus and spoke with the necessary people to make sure their points are “actually achievable.”

The Pursley-Rowles campaign has five main platform points:

• Sustainability: Create composting initiatives. Create easier options for recycling off-campus.
• Transit and downtown engagement: Partner with the City Council to host events downtown. Expand Saferide, CyRide and parking options.
• Engagement and campus life: Host a watch party for the season-opening Ireland game. Create a new platform for students to express their ideas. Create a new way for students to buy/sell tickets.
• Mental health support and inclusivity: Promote free student access to therapy services. Collaborate with clubs to create safe spaces for communities facing systemic barriers. 
• Sexual violence prevention: Create a sexual violence prevention task force. Promote the Safe App and Green Flags training. Promote free Narcan training. 

“[We] have really focused this campaign on things that we can do, whether big or small,” Pursley said. “We have some things that seem small, but it’s all things that we know can be done based on our connections and our experience.”

Endorsements

The Brandt-Vlasek Instagram account has 17 endorsements, including:

• Iowa State Agriculture Systems Technology Club
• Former Student Body President Jennifer Holliday
• Friley Senate
• Swine Production Advocates Club

The Pursley-Rolwes Instagram page has 32 endorsements, some being:

• Pride Alliance executive team
• Student Government Director of Outreach Eric Gerdes
• Indian Student Association
• Speaker of the Senate Alexandra Momaney
• Elijah Moore, host of the Spotlight podcast
• IRHA executive team
• Senior Director of Communications Erik Braun