‘I’m not a puppet’: Recently elected SG President and VP took money from a conservative organization
Turning Point USA has a history of giving FAU SG candidates money.
Both currently have roles in SG. Photo courtesy of Celine Persaud’s Facebook.
February 28, 2019
Last year, former candidate for SG president and current Vice President Marianne Alex received a $1,400 donation from the conservative activist group Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
This year, it happened again.
Kevin Buchanan and Celine Persaud, who have been unofficially elected to serve as the next SG student body president and vice president for the 2019-2020 term, received a $2,000 donation from the conservative activist group.
“I am not a puppet for a political agenda,” Buchanan said.
Buchanan is a registered Republican while Persaud is a registered Democrat.
The organization reached out to Buchanan once he announced his campaign, but he accepted the donation solely for financial support, he said. He added that there were “absolutely” no promises made with TPUSA.
TPUSA follows the “Campus Victory Project” which states that college campus student governments are influenced by “left-leaning and radical left agendas.” The project’s purpose is to get more conservative leaders on campus elected and to secure the SG president role.
Elijah Colas, the other candidate for Boca governor who lost to Alexander Zand, is also the former TPUSA’s FAU chapter president. Colas did not receive any money from the group, although Chief Justice Isaiah Moriarity rumored that he had.
Buchanan said he spoke with Edward Perez, who was Alex’s VP during the election where they took TPUSA money and Colas about getting into contact with TPUSA for funding purposes.
TPUSA cites that SG controls fees and budgets for organizations, which could allude to how money is given to left-leaning groups.
This is a developing story — check back with the UP for updates.
Sophie Siegel is the Editor in Chief of the University Press. For more information regarding this and other stories, email her at [email protected] or tweet her at @SophSiegel.
Liz • Jul 13, 2019 at 7:56 am
This new president should start asking questions about positions and funding disappearing. Open your eyes now that the slave master is gone.
corinne • Feb 28, 2019 at 10:57 pm
“…took money from a conservative organization” Why is it news story worthy for someone to be a conservative/republican? The tone of this article makes it sound like it’s a scandal. Who wouldn’t take money to help fund their campaign? you all know if someone took money from a liberal organization, there would be no article written.
Lmao like why is UP writing a wannabe hit piece on the new, DEMOCRATICLY elected officials?
it’s honestly sad, and I love all the editors and reading their stories but this is embarrassing and clearly biased.