The president pro tempore has often served as a stepping stone for past Student Government Association senators taking over the post, a recognized point by both candidates seeking the position.
The race for SGA pro tempore will conclude at this afternoon's meeting when the senate will select its liaison to the executive council.
Both candidates, Nicole Akey and Michelle Voss, ultimately have different motives in their pursuit for SGA's third-highest position.
Already three times this decade, the senator elected SGA president pro tempore has gone on to be the next president. Akey, off-campus caucus chairperson and last term's chairperson of the year, said she would consider becoming the fourth pro tempore since 2004 to head a slate. Refusing to look too far ahead, the sophomore said she still cannot help but consider the possibilities if she does win the job.
"That's kind of what I'm aiming for," Akey said. "I don't want to say that for sure - no promises, of course, but that would be the next step in what I'd like to do."
Voss, on the other hand, has already run on a slate as the University Coalition vice presidential candidate in March. The junior has another year and a half remaining on campus before student teaching, and as a result she said she would seek more of an advisory role if her bid for pro temp proves successful. Last term's President Pro Tempore Jimmy Faroh serves as a recent example, becoming Cardinal Impact's Chief of Staff after fulfilling his term.
This marks Voss' second attempt at the pro temp position after falling to Faroh last term. Despite the adversity she has faced, Voss said she is confident her peers will select her after voting her last term's Senator of the Year.
"The senators voted and said they thought I was the person that contributed the most and was really there for SGA," Voss said. "I think that really reflects on this election because ... this is all in-house - it's not people unfamiliar with SGA that are voting."
Both candidates said they approved of the work Faroh and former President Pro Tempore Kyle Ellis did during their respective tenures, and they said they hope to add to their efforts, if elected. Voss suggested a more "proactive" role the pro temp should take while assisting in legislation, and Akey stressed a renewed connection between the position and the rest of senate.
"[President pro tempore] is paid for a reason, because you should be treating it like a job," Voss said. "It should be your life - SGA should be your new job. That's how I really feel it should be, and that's how I would treat it."
A major aspect of the president pro tempore's duties includes new senator orientation, which Akey considered a personal advantage due to her experience this year as a Woody/Shales residence hall assistant. She also attributed her work as credentials board chairperson last term as to why she said she would be "the best suited for the position."
"I am so close with everyone on senate. I just love interacting with them," Akey said. "I think that's what would give me the step above because people know they can rely on me to do stuff as well as be personable and professional."
President Beth Cahill said she could not identify a front-runner heading into Wednesday's election, but both she and SGA Adviser Lynda Wiley said they expect the senate to ultimately determine which candidate holds SGA's key issues more to heart. Either way, they said the election serves as a "win-win" for SGA.
"I've worked with both (Voss) and (Akey) in different aspects, and I think either one would do a great job," Wiley said. "I think the key (Wednesday) is really how they sell themselves and how they can communicate to senators who would be the best for the position."
Cahill said she was confident Cardinal Impact would work well with either Akey or Voss, who ran against the slate last election. Both agreed they have worked well together in the past, and Cahill said she would not hesitate to utilize the president pro tempore regardless of who holds the position.
"We're also going to use the president pro temp to interact with administrators and help realize platform points," Cahill said. "Michelle and Nicole have both worked with administrators and written legislation before, so we're good to go either way."
The third candidate nominated for the position, At-large Senator Sara Manwaring, said she intends on withdrawing her name from consideration prior to today's election. There will also be an additional round of nominations before the election occurs. SGA will take place today at Cardinal Hall in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center at 3:15 p.m.
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