Both ASUA presidential candidates received endorsements from former candidates and campus organizations, in hopes to help spread the word and swing the election toward their candidate of choice.
All three Associated Students of the University of Arizona presidential candidates who did not advance to the general elections decided to endorse Cade Bernsen. Bernsen also received an endorsement from Sigma Alpha Epsilon and from Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity.
Jacob Reuben has received endorsements from the UA Panhellenic Council, the Undergraduate Eller Student Council, presidents of different campus groups and honoraries, and some ASUA officials.
Nathan Bell, who came in a close third in the primary election, said Bernsen's lack of ASUA experience is not a factor in this race.
"The president's chief job is to lobby to legislature," said Bell, a current ASUA senator. "He has plenty of experience with legislature and government in general."
Bell, a computer science senior, said throughout the campaign and before the primary election, Bernsen was his choice for president if he did not win.
"Cade's a very inspirational guy," Bell said. "He managed to move me a couple of times during the election and I thought, 'Damn, that was a good speech.'"
Bell said Bernsen's "fire" would make him an exceptional president.
Michael Franklin, a former presidential candidate who received 18.6 percent of the student vote, said Bernsen will fight for the students so they have a voice.
"I see his passion for the position and how much he really wants it," said Franklin, a secondary education junior. "I feel like he's a fighter."
Franklin said he is encouraging students to vote tomorrow and Wednesday.
Jacob Hill, a former presidential candidate, said both candidates are good guys and choosing between them was a tough decision.
"I had to pick one or the other," said Hill, a nutritional science junior. "I got to know Cade, and I like what he stands for."
Hill said he took a few days to unwind from his campaign, but will begin helping Bernsen today by passing out fliers and encouraging others to vote.
Hill said although he only received 3.6 percent of the vote, he will encourage those who voted for him to support Bernsen in the general election. Bernsen has also recieved the endorsement from Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities, said Jake Henderson, president of Pi Kapp.
Presidential candidate Jacob Reuben, who swept the primary election with 31.7 percent of the student votes, received an endorsement from Eller Student Council.
"We decided to endorse all Eller students for the 2005 election," said Ryan Jennings, president of the Eller Student Council, who would not elaborate on Reuben specifically.
Erin Cohen, president of the Panhellenic Council, which represents 18 social sororities, said the 18 delegates on the council passed a resolution endorsing Reuben.
Reuben was president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity last year.
"He's the active member in the greek community," said Cohen, a psychology junior who worked with him last year. "I've been impressed with the leadership he has shown."
Mathew Gugliuzza, president of Blue Key National Honorary that organizes spirit events such as painting the "A" on "A" Mountain, said the group supports Reuben because of his knowledge and experience in ASUA.
"He's got a good head on his shoulders and he knows what he is doing," said Gugliuzza, a marketing junior.
The Honors Student Council also endorsed Reuben because his campaign platforms appeal to honor students, said council President Conrad Hutcheson.
"Of the two candidates who made the cut from the primary elections, he was the only one who came and spoke to us," said Hutcheson, a physics senior.
Reuben said other individuals and organizations who endorsed him were the Chain Gain Junior Honorary, the president of the Arizona Ambassadors, Arizona Alligence, the Asian American club, ASA Director Kim Bui, Spirit Director Amber Harryman and ASUA Senators Ashley Eden and Prashant Raj.
The Interfraternity Council gave both candidates duel endorsements.
The Arizona Daily Wildcat will announce their endorsements tomorrow.
Candidates will square off in another debate today in Gallagher Theater in the Student Union Memorial Center from noon to 1:30 p.m. Members of the audience can ask the candidates questions during the last half hour.