At 7:30 p.m., Elon students patiently waited in the chilly temperatures on Medallion Plaza to hear the results of the 2026-27 Student Government Association’s executive president, vice president, class and school senator races.
The two candidates for president were Elon juniors, Jocelyn Gomez and Michael Swartz. Both candidates have previously held positions on SGA.
Also announced were the three semi-finalists chosen for the senior class commencement speaker: Mallory Fahrlender, Fiona McAllister and Ruby Radis. The three will next give their speeches in front of a selection committee.
Elon junior Oliver Keicher ran unopposed for executive vice president and won.
At 7:34 p.m., Swartz was announced to be the next executive president.
After hugging his opponent, Swartz made his rounds and congratulated others, as well as thanked supporters for being there.
In an interview with Elon News Network, Swartz said he is excited to work with the Elon community and different organizations.
“We're all Elon students at the end of the day, and I just can't wait to get to work and meet people I haven't met before and continue relationships that I've already started,” Swartz said. “Super, super happy to see what happens.”
Swartz also thanked everyone who voted.
“I'm super proud of everybody, and I am extremely grateful to be in this position, and super excited for the year to come,” Swartz said.
Before the results were announced, outgoing executive president, Anya Bratić, sat down with both candidates and told them, regardless of what the results were, they should be proud of themselves.
“It is an undertaking to put yourself out there like this on a campus, and they did it, and regardless of a win or a lose, people should be proud of themselves for having the courage to do something as big as campaign for yourself and run for a student government position,” Bratić said.
If people are still interested in joining SGA, whose night didn't go for them the way they wanted it to, Bratić said they can reach out to Swartz on next steps to get involved in SGA.
“It's an amazing organization to be a part of, and I can't believe that my time in it is almost over, but I've enjoyed every single minute of it, and I want other people to have the same experience,” Bratić said.
Editor’s note: Fiona McAllister holds an executive position in Elon News Network.