From a DJ to a military veteran, a former sailor to a hospital night-shifter, this year’s student government (SG) gubernatorial candidates share one goal – making the USF Tampa campus better.

With SG voting running from March 3 to 6, candidates for Tampa governor and lieutenant governor are hosting their campaigns. 

Elected candidates will serve one-year terms and be part of the SG executive branch, which is responsible for carrying out initiatives and programs at the Tampa campus. 

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The governor’s responsibilities include nominating Campus Council members and committee representatives and approving or rejecting campus legislation, according to SG job descriptions.

The lieutenant governor advises and assists the campus governor, chairs or co-chairs boards and committees and attends monthly meetings with SG officials.

Four tickets are running for the 2025 gubernatorial election.

Carter Fifer and Jonathan Pittman

Carter Fifer, a 20-year-old junior political science major from Chicago, is running for governor. 

Jonathan Pittman, a 21-year-old junior political science major from California, is up for lieutenant governor.

While Fifer has no SG experience, Pittman was an intern at SG for seven weeks during his sophomore year. 

Both Pittman and Fifer have an interest in politics. 

Pittman’s involvement was influenced by his parents’ careers. His father, Christopher Pittman, was president of the Florida Medical Association Political Action Committee, and his mother, Karen Gonzalez Pittman, is a state representative for District 65.

Fifer first engaged with politics during the 2016 presidential election when he would discuss the race with his older brother.

Fifer asked Pittman to run with him during their public policy class this semester.

Some of their platform’s goals are improving bus and scooter safety on campus and advocating for free speech.

“I want to make students feel like they have a space to share their ideas,” Fifer said. “What kind of educational institution are we if students can’t do that?” 

Pittman said even though the campaign ahead is “a beast,” their passion will keep them going.

“We are both passionate people and could take down an elephant if we tried,” Pittman said.

Beyond their platform, Fifer enjoys reading fiction, philosophy and political theory. He wants to be an attorney.

Pittman was a sailor in high school and hopes to become a campaign manager.

Emma Goodwin and Ethan Walsh

Emma Goodwin is a 20-year-old junior biomedical sciences major from Maine and is running for governor. She got involved in SG in her freshman year and is this term’s lieutenant governor.

Ethan Walsh is a 23-year-old senior industrial engineering major from Washington, D.C., and  Goodwin’s running mate.

Walsh joined SG last year as part of the Campus Allocation Funding Committee (CAFC), where he met Goodwin.

Goodwin decided to run for governor to continue working toward the goals she has with sitting Tampa campus Gov. Ava Moreno.

“As the end of the term started coming up, there was still so much more we were planning on doing,” Goodwin said. “Ethan said he would run with me, so I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’”

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Their initiatives include raising awareness of student resources such as financial advising and wellness programs, advocating for Library renovations and supporting sustainability through the Green Energy Fund.

Goodwin said Walsh is easy to talk to.

“Whenever students come to the office, he’s always welcoming, and they really enjoy hearing what he has to say,” Goodwin said.

Outside the election, Goodwin works at Tampa General Hospital. She said healthcare is her “passion.” 

Walsh said he likes to travel. He has lived in countries like Russia, Germany and Tanzania.

Eduardo Osorio Manke and Dhanvanth Rayuku Ramayanam

Eduardo Osorio Manke is a 20-year-old sophomore mechanical engineering major from Brazil and is running for governor. 

Dhanvanth Rayuku Ramayanam is Manke’s running mate. Ramayanam is a 19-year-old sophomore computer science major from India.

They’ve named their campaign ACT, which stands for “action, community and transparency.”

Manke and Ramayanam have served as senators for the past year. Ramayanam is also vice-chair of the Ethics Committee.

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Even though the candidates sat in the Senate together, they didn’t “interact much.” Manke said he was looking for a running mate when a mutual friend suggested Ramayanam.

“We talked and instantly hit it off,” Manke said. 

He said they “complement each other well.” While Manke comes up with initiatives, Ramayanam does the writing for the campaign.

Some of their initiatives include adding scooter lanes for improved campus safety, reintroducing SG internships and advocating for volunteer opportunities within SG.

“We think volunteering is a great way to improve and grow, not only the community but ourselves as human beings,” Manke said.

Beyond the elections, Manke “loves” music. He said he plays the piano and likes to DJ. 

Ramayanam is more into sports. He said he plays badminton and FIFA with friends. 

Kaitlyn Rodriguez and Lila Morgan

Kaitlyn Rodriguez is a 26-year-old junior health sciences and cybersecurity double major from Miami and is running for governor. 

Lila Morgan is Rodriguez’s running mate, a 17-year-old freshman political science and philosophy double major from California.

Rodriguez joined SG in 2022 and has served in several positions, including Campus Council, Senate and the Activity and Service Recommendation Committee (ASRC). 

Morgan has no experience in SG.

Rodriguez said she wanted to run for governor to gain an “automatic standing seat” on the CAFC, which oversees the student activity & service (A&S) fee.

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The candidates met during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah at the USF Chabad in fall 2024. Rodriguez asked Morgan if she was interested in running shortly after. 

“We found our differences complemented each other,” Morgan said. “My weaknesses were her strengths, and her weaknesses were my strengths.”

Rodriguez is a veteran who served in the army. She said integrity and leadership are key values she developed during her service.

Morgan describes herself as a “military brat.” She said she learned leadership, selfless service and courage from her father, who serves in the army.

The ticket’s initiatives include creating more on-campus employment for international students, rebalancing the A&S fee for long-term “financial stability” and strengthening mental health and academic resources.