Kyle Gordon has been named homecoming king while elections for Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss and homecoming queen go into runoffs. Runoff elections will be held today.
Campaigning for the elections began on Sept. 12 and closed on Sept. 20. With a record number of 81 candidates, the competition for each spot was tight.
Results were delayed Tuesday night due to an appeals hearing over a violation by one of the candidates. Jenna Cripe was disqualified from running for Miss Ole Miss following a 4-1 vote by the ASB Judicial Council. With 34.98% of the vote, she was solidly in second place before her disqualification.
In a statement released by ASB Attorney General Maddy Ryan, the council stated Cripe’s campaign budget had exceeded the allotted limit of $750. The budget went over due to a penalty fine of $100. The fine was placed on Cripe’s campaign due to allegations that one of her campaign signs exceeded the regulation size limit of 72 x 30 inches.
Cripe claimed that she did not get a fair trial, and she is currently looking into taking further action.
“I am currently considering what, if any, further actions I may take given the numerous conflicts of interest that prevented myself and my campaign from receiving hearings before the Election Review Board and the appeals before the judicial council,” Cripe said.
Cripe clarified that the sign in question was an interactive bulletin board set up by Active Minds. The board contained buttons labeled with different emotions which students could pick out to show their moods.
“The intent was not for the sign to serve as a campaign sign, but rather a safe space for students, and the mention of my name was very small in relation to the overall sign,” Cripe said. “I never intended to violate the code in any way, and the outcome is of course incredibly disappointing.”
After the appeals process on Tuesday, the results of the election were announced via Instagram live around 2 a.m.
For Miss Ole Miss, there will be a runoff with the top two candidates, Lydia Robbins and Kelly Li. Robbins had 43.39% of votes and Li had 14.92%.
Robbins said she is excited about the run-off and is grateful for the support she has received from students and the other candidates.
“The love that’s been shown to me is unmatched, and I feel incredibly indebted to every person who has shown me support through this process,” Robbins said. “I have loved getting to know the other candidates better and am confident each and every one of them would be an amazing representative of our university.”
Li said she is nervous and excited to see how the runoffs play out.
“I’m definitely really nervous going into it, but I’m really excited,” Li said. “I think it’s a really good candidate pool to choose from.”
Li also noted her unique position as a first-generation student.
“I think being a first generation minority student at the university does play a factor into how it feels being in personality elections, especially at a university such as this,” she said.
For Mr. Ole Miss, there will be a runoff with Harrison Foxworth and Robert Allen. Foxworth had 36.78% of votes and Allen had 26.71%.
Foxworth said running for Mr. Ole Miss has been a great experience so far.
“It’s already been a great experience so far going through this whole thing. And I think that it’s been really great getting to know the other candidates and just getting to know more of the university as well,” Foxworth said.
Allen said he is grateful for the support he’s received so far.
I’m excited that I’m here, and I’m really thankful that all my supporters were able to help me get this far,” he said.
Allen also said that he’s hoping to win the runoffs to continue his campaign ideals. He ran on the platform of “REACH” which is an acronym for resilient leaders to empower one another and achieve success with the help of the community and our hard work.
“I just want to elevate the standards for Ole Miss,” Allen said. “I really just want to bring the community together.”
Senior Kyle Gordon has been announced as homecoming king. Gordon won 75.74% of votes.
“The only word that comes to mind would be thankful. This school has already given me so many warm memories and unforgettable opportunities that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I’m just glad I can add this to that list as well,” Gordon said.
Gordon also thanked his supporters.
“And to the people that supported me, thank you, thank you, thank you. Y’all are what makes Ole Miss so special to me, and I’m so happy y’all allowed me the opportunity to hold such an amazing title as your Ole Miss 2022-2023 homecoming king,” he said.
The competition for homecoming queen also continues.
Senior Eliza Peters will be competing in the runoff election. Peters earned 20.90% of votes.
“It feels surreal to be in the runoff for homecoming queen,” Peters said.“There were
so many phenomenal women running for the position, so I had no worries about the position being represented well, no matter who won. I cannot wait to spend the next two days campaigning and meeting even more people.”
Expressing immense gratitude, Peters thanked those who have rallied around her.
“I do not think I will ever be able to accurately thank the people who have supported me. They have rallied around me and been there for me since the second I announced I was a candidate. I tell them all the time, I am so thankful for everything, and I cannot wait to continue,” she said.
Senior Tiana Baldwin is also competing for homecoming queen after earning 20.87% of votes.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be in the runoff for homecoming queen,” Baldwin said. “I would be incredibly grateful to represent this university as an African American woman.
Baldwin also said she was grateful for the support she’s received during her campaign.
“I will cherish this experience forever, and I am so thankful for the love and support I have received along the way,” she said.
The freshman maid winner is Julia Stradinger. The sophomore maid winner is Lydia Snopek.
The junior maid winner is Hayden Hubbell. The senior maid winner is Sadie Smith.
The campus favorites are Abby Church, Mary Kathryn Breard, Greer Calvert, Catherine Romaine, Caki Field, Caroline Newsome, Hannah Jenkins, Anna Case, Rainey Zaugg and Hermine Granberry.
The runoff elections will take place today with voting opening on myolemiss at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.
