Spring 2024 Associated Students election results announced

Katarina “Kat” Hernandez will lead Associated Students as president for the 2024-2025 academic year, with voter turnout at only 7.9%

by Eugenie Budnik and Natali Gonzalez • April 3, 2024

Katarina “Kat” Hernandez will lead Associated Students as president for the 2024-2025 academic year. Photo courtesy of Nico Pineda.

Following the end of voting on March 28, the preliminary results of the spring 2024 Associated Students election were announced at a results party held at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

Candidate Katarina “Kat” Hernandez won the office of president against opponent Zachary Arturo Almaraz with an extremely close 3.2% lead — the difference being a mere 73 votes.

“I’m so excited to advocate properly. I’m a foster youth — I think I’m the first female foster youth president and that’s really overwhelming,” Hernandez said. “I’m just so excited to spread more awareness and really take charge of tomorrow.”

Hernandez will lead an executive board composed of Tajuddin Kamal Henry as executive vice president, Derrick Herrera as vice president of external relations, Vincent Lin as vice president of financial affairs and Trinity Dang as vice president of university affairs.

Hernandez, Henry and Herrera all campaigned under the RiseSDSU slate, whereas Dang and Lin campaigned under the BluePrint SDSU slate.

Dang won the vice president of university affairs position against RiseSDSU opponent, Mohamed Erekat, with a 12.8% lead.

Lin ran for vice president of financial affairs uncontested.

Notably, only 113 eligible graduate students voted in the contest for the next Graduate Student Association president. Julio Cesar Rodriguez, who did not campaign under a slate, won with a 9.8% lead over his RiseSDSU opponent Kailey Quezada.

Overall voter turnout was only 7.9% of SDSU’s eligible student population, a decrease from the 2023 figure of 15.6%. This means that only 2,673 out of 33,924 eligible students voted in this year’s A.S. election.

The final results will be certified at an A.S. Judicial Affairs Council meeting on April 12.

About the Contributors

Eugenie Budnik, '24-25 News Editor, '23-24 News Editor

Eugenie Budnik is currently obtaining her MA in Mass Communication and Media Studies from San Diego State University. Eugenie graduated from San Diego State University with a BA of Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising in Spring 2024. As an ex-military child, Eugenie spent time growing up in Japan, England, Colorado and San Diego. Eugenie joined The Daily Aztec in 2021, when she was originally an elementary education major. Eugenie's time spent reporting on news for The Daily Aztec developed her love and passion for journalism, ultimately leading her to change her major. Since then, Eugenie has written over 50 pieces for The Daily Aztec and is now serving as the news editor for the second year in a row. Outside of her work, you can find Eugenie jamming out to Taylor Swift, reading, or scrolling through Tik Tok.

Natali Gonzalez, '23-24 Arts & Culture Editor

Natali Gonzalez is an MA student in Rhetoric and Writing Studies. Originally from Ogden, Utah, she got her BA in English Teaching from Weber State University. While there, she worked as a research assistant examining the role of technology in K-12 education. She also worked for Upward Bound as an instructor and tutor. Now, at SDSU, she looks forward to learning about professional writing alongside increasing her knowledge about teaching practices. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys being outdoors, especially exploring the San Diego beaches and going on hikes, and doing yoga and meditation.