Runoff Announced: Kaufmann and Phillips on the Final Ballot

From left to right, SBP candidates Colin Phillips and Madelynn Kaufmann debate after the runoff announcement in the City Room. I I Photo credit to Emily Henry

Madelynn Kaufmann and Colin Phillips will proceed to the final election portion of the SBP race, marking the end of Blake Ashley’s campaign trail. 

According to the Dean of Students, David Leedy, 72 percent of the King’s student body voted in the first round of the election, totaling 340 votes. 

Before the debate, Ashley gave a final statement. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of two of my best friends up here,” Ashley said. “Whoever wins will have my full support.”

The two remaining candidates then promptly engaged in a final debate led by current SBP Koby Jackson, marking the last time that they would have the ability to speak directly to the student body before the final elections. 

Both candidates spoke about the positive qualities that they saw in Blake that will contribute to their campaign. Kaufmann cited his willingness to perform hard work and Phillips remarked about Ashley’s ability to empathize with everyone and exhibit compassion in all of his actions. 

Highlighting the most crucial parts of their platforms, Kaufmann described the college’s need for more communication between the administration and student body. 

“I think the council newsletter is something that I haven’t just dreamed up because it would be a good point on my platform, but because every single issue I have seen this year being Director of Student Orgs has come from the fact that there isn’t this central place for everyone to get information that’s student led,” Kaufmann said. 

Phillips then cited having proper representation of the student body as a policy that he would prioritize.

“The issue of representation is basically what I’m running on,” Phillips said. “I really think that we need to have a student survey or some form of way of collecting ideas or the issues students are having with their experience at King’s, and getting that in front of the administration.”

During the debate, Jackson also asked the candidates what it means to be a good Christian man or woman.

“It is a hardcore sense of duty and responsibility for those in your care. That’s kind of connected to the leadership aspect but there are so many other things like, love God and love your neighbor. The men around me that I respect the most have taken immense amounts of responsibility to bring up those underneath them and protect and secure them,” Phillips said.

Kaufmann then explained some of her past experiences with fundamental Christianity, where she felt men and women weren’t treated the same way. Kaufmann said this was something that inspired her to be recognized as a good Christian woman and leader. 

“There is such beauty in being both strong and gentle,” Kaufmann said. “It’s a balance that’s hard for me to strike every single day. I think that the root of being a Christian woman for me is knowing that my strength doesn’t come from myself, it comes from God. Also, I’m allowed to be kind, and soft and gentle at the same time.” 

Kaufmann then spoke about her desire to attempt to represent those often underrepresented as SBP in the King’s community. She mentioned the LGBTQ Discussion Group and how she plans to work with the leader in developing the group into a more widely known and respected entity. 

“I think that as SBP next year, something that’s on my agenda is to speak with the President of this group and ask them to see if we do want to explore that possibility of being a Student Org,” Kaufmann said. “Obviously, it’s not a unilateral decision for the SBP. it’s decided by the council and then it has to go through the level of passing through the administration. But asking this group, what are your desires and how can we honor and respect you and empower and equip you?” 

Phillips spoke about the lack of representation of Asian students in the King’s community.

“I don’t know what else I can do but listen and really empathize with who they are as people first,” Phillips said. “Then from there, based off of their own experience and what they think they need, then decide what to do for action.”

The final election results will be released in the Main Lobby at King’s during lunch on Friday.