We’re David Baker and Farhan Iqbal running for SG president and vice president on the New Wave UTD Ticket.
We delivered huge wins for students and led successful campaigns against attempts to silence students. We helped lead the successful effort to restore the Track and Field/Cross-Country programs. When UTD banned drag shows, we helped bring them back. Since SJP’s suspension, we have actively coordinated with their team on a response. We’ve registered over 400 students to vote. We’ve coordinated LGBTQ+ and multicultural events in the wake of anti-DEI laws.
In contrast, the Ho/Pe campaign doesn’t have any plans to achieve the goals they are campaigning for. The Ho/Pe ticket also only has two student organization endorsements for Thaden and none for his running mate. Ho/Pe makes grand claims of student solidarity and outreach, yet has failed to show its ability to reach out or communicate with students.
Experience matters. During his two years in Student Government, Thaden actively opposed nearly all SG initiatives. During the executive debate, he touted his record of opposing SG projects like the Black History Month Cookout, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and National Coming Out Day as if they were accomplishments, while claiming, “I actually use my conscience when I vote.” Consciousness is not voting against critical events that support marginalized communities. Additionally, the moderator correctly pointed out to him that “you have built a [campaign] that has no mention of queer or trans concerns”. Thaden’s negative voting record is dangerous to student life. It is SG’s responsibility to use our funding to actively help students — especially those who are losing institutional support.
What’s more, Ho/Pe fundamentally misunderstands the role of SG executives. During the debate, they argued, “The most leverage you can do as an SG President is to stand publicly for what matters”. This is false.
Student Government has many avenues for leverage like university-wide committee placements, coordinating student organizations together, working with outside media, etc. Actions we have, and are currently taking. That is how you create change, not by words alone.
Finally, we want to talk about the plans we have for next year. Right now, we are coordinating hundreds of students to build a unified force that supports each other’s events and organizes collectively. We will leverage the Student Fee Committee to increase funding for student organizations. We will continue to help students understand how UTD is using their money through initiatives like the Budget Transparency project. We’ll continue to fight for and protect students who are being attacked by hostile politics – namely, international students, LGBTQ+ students, and racial minorities. We plan to deliver on all 22 campaign promises — a plan not just backed up by years of experience, but a track record of results and strong advocacy. If you want candidates that consistently deliver results, vote now for New Wave UTD via email!
