Meyer-Benesh Participate in Presidential Debate

As part of the campaign to be the 2026-27 student body president and vice president, third-year students Jonathan Meyer and Caitlin Benesh participated in a presidential debate on Tuesday, Feb. 3.  

Hosted by the Wartburg College Student Senate, students of the senate as well as the Wartburg student body were invited to attend the debate and ask questions about the Meyer-Benesh campaign.  

Both Meyer and Benesh have participated in student senate throughout their college careers. During his time with the Wartburg College Student Senate, Meyer has held roles on the public relations committee, the bylaw committee and the budget review committee. Benesh has been involved in student senate for over two years, taking on roles in the public relations team as well as the budget review committee.  

The presidential debate, a traditional part of a presidential election, typically allows multiple candidates to answer the same question, allowing the candidates to showcase their plans and goals for the upcoming year. This year, running unopposed, Meyer and Benesh aimed to campaign just as hard as they would against another ticket.  

“While we are disappointed that we’re not running against anybody, we are certainly still moving full steam ahead,” Meyer says.  

Agreeing with Meyer, Benesh believes that despite running unopposed, the dedication to their campaign will benefit Meyer and herself as they establish a foundation of relationships with the student body. 

“We are still running everything as we would if we were opposed,” Benesh explains. “I think that is going to help in the long run with those relationships during the term as well.”  

For Meyer, the heat of a presidential debate is not new. Meyer ran alongside Owen Pries as a student body vice president candidate for the 2025-26 academic year. Meyer shares that his experience with his campaign helped prepare his run for president this year. 

Although his campaign for vice president in the past was the result of a favor, Meyer obtained a passion for serving the Wartburg College community which pushed him to return to the ballot for the upcoming election. 

“I think being able to represent the student voice and having a say in the change that goes on is so honorable, and I want to be a part of it,” Meyer explains. “I certainly feel as though the ax has been sharpened and I was ready to go for whatever is coming our way.”  

With a guaranteed win for the election, Meyer and Benesh are beginning to plan what the 2026-27 academic year will look like for the student senate as well as the student body.  

“I want to make sure I have an executive team backing me and also an advisor to look at those things and make sure that it is all falling into place as it should be,” Benesh says. “I do have a lot of ideas, I’m really excited about them, just kind of waiting for the right moment to publicize them.” 

Alongside the candidates for president and vice president, first year Alyssa Moore and third year Grace Braden were given the opportunity to read their opening and closing statements, as well as answer questions provided by student senate and the student body. Moore is running for the recorder position, Braden is running for the treasurer position 

Elections for the student body president and vice president will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, a link will be sent out via email for the student body to vote.  

For more information on the Meyer Benesh campaign, visit their Instagram page, @votemeyerbenesh2026. To learn more about student senate, attend one of the weekly meetings on Thursdays during community time in Buckmaster (WBC 214).