Hear from the candidates for ASMSU’s '26-'27 executive team

Happy April, Bobcats! Spring is currently taking root all around campus, which means the annual campaigns for MSU’s student government — the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) — are underway.

ASMSU is the student government here on campus, composed of an executive, legislative and judicial branch — and every year, students get to vote for who they want to represent them. The student government not only controls numerous student programs but also a yearly budget of over a million dollars. These ‘Cats frequently make decisions that impact student life and enact change on campus.

For example, they’re the ones who initiated MSU’s medical amnesty policy and created the Procrastinator Theater. They also organize events on campus — such as MSU’s annual Rail Jam — and lobby in the state legislature to represent student interests.

This year, ASMSU’s General Elections will be held via CatsConnect from 8 a.m. on April 7 to 5 p.m. on April 8. The voting link will be accessible on ASMSU’s Elections page at https://www.montana.edu/asmsu/programs/civic-engagement/elections.html.

This week, the Exponent is platforming the two teams running for ASMSU president and vice president. Each team was given the chance to provide short bios and answer a questionnaire. We hope that providing the candidates’ ideas in their own words can help you decide who to vote for. After all, only one team can win — so remember to vote this coming Tuesday and Wednesday, Bobcats.

IZZY WATSON & MOLLY FORNEY

Izzy Watson, Presidential Candidate 

Hey Cats! I’m Izzy, and I am a junior studying Political Science, Philosophy, and German. My involvement on campus ranges from writing for The Exponent, interning for the Montana World Affairs Council, and working in the MSU Library’s Archives. In ASMSU, I was the student lobbyist, Senate Protem, and I am currently the Senate Speaker! I have been on Finance Board and Administrative Council, liaison to our Government Affairs program, and Chair of the RSO Funding Board. On Senate, I sponsored impactful legislation and funded projects for students. I am excited to continue serving students as your Student Body President!

Molly Forney, Vice Presidential Candidate

I’m Molly, and I’m running to be YOUR student body vice president! I study Political Science and Sociology here at MSU. I currently serve as a CLS Senator and in an admin role as the Senate Protem! In my time in ASMSU, I’ve helped sponsor legislation to support graduate students, increase student engagement, and provide tangible opportunities. Izzy and I plan to bring experience and representation together to work with the student body as your ASMSU representatives. I am excited to continue supporting YOU and making real change with the student body's voice behind me as your ASMSU Vice President!

IZZY & MOLLY'S QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS:

What is the value of ASMSU to students?

The ASMSU fee is $83.50. This is a tax that full-time students are automatically opted-in to. ASMSU has a responsibility to be good stewards of this money, and the most important way we do this is through student representation. YOU provide us with the funding, and we want to use that funding for campus initiatives that YOU want to see on campus.

Where do you think ASMSU succeeds and where could it improve?

Over the last year, ASMSU has been working to become increasingly more transparent. We have built the infrastructure for agendas and minutes of all of our governing bodies to be posted in a timely and accessible manner. None of this matters, however, if students don’t know what ASMSU is or what it can do for them. We want to demystify student government. In the past, we have seen issues with lackluster communication to student organizations. Clubs don’t know what they can realistically expect from ASMSU. Being more upfront with our fiscal policy will help clubs to be more proactive in planning and fundraising.

Additionally, some student organizations have seen a decrease in funds from ASMSU in recent years as a result of our yearly budgeting process. We want to turn ‘handshake agreements’ into long-term sponsorships for large student organizations that put on events year-to-year.

What initiatives are you planning to focus on?

With the upcoming legislative session in 2027, we hope to ensure that student interests are actually being reflected at the state level. Every other year, ASMSU hires a student lobbyist to advocate for students in the Montana legislature. The bills that the lobbyist advocates for or against should be directly informed by the student body, and not by any one person. We want your help writing our legislative priorities for the 2027 session.

Additionally, we want to expand campus community events, and put students at the center. Over the past few years, MSU football games have become less about students and more about profit. Ultimately, this led to the elimination of the Brawl of the Wild Battle of the Bands show between the Griz and Spirit of the West Marching Bands. We think this was a disservice to students, and we want to bring the bands back! We want your feedback on the kinds of events you want to see ASMSU fund, including new and exciting speakers through our TedX program and the Leadership Institute. We also want to establish a permanent career closet on campus so that students have access to professional clothing at no cost to them.

Finally, we are passionate about continuing the work done by the current ASMSU senate to maintain the Student Advisory Council to the Bozeman City Commission, which ensures student representation on every board the Commission administers.

Why do you think students should vote for you?

Our campaign places YOUR voice at the center of everything ASMSU does. We want your input at every stage of the game, and we will work hard to represent every student on campus, even the ones who have no idea who we are or what we do. We have the experience and the passion, we just need your help!

BENJAMIN WILSON & JOSEY BLAZER

Benjamin Wilson, Presidential Candidate 

Benjamin (Ben) is a 3rd year at Montana State University majoring in Liberal Studies Quaternity and Environmental Economics and Policy. Ben was born in Spokane, Washington, but grew up in Bozeman. In his free time, you can find him skiing, hiking, camping, and fishing. He is in his second year at ASMSU as an At-Large Senator. He has served on the Employee Pay Review Committee, Equipment Fee Allocation Committee, Curriculum and Programming Committee, and was the liaison to the Streamline Bus Service. He is committed to making campus resources as accessible as possible to students.

Josey Blazer, Vice Presidential Candidate

Josey Blazer is a Junior majoring in Marketing and Political Science. She’s from Ennis, MT, and has enjoyed skiing, hiking, and camping in the Bozeman area her entire life. Currently, she’s also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, the Women’s Rugby team, and is involved with admissions and orientation! She’s in her 3rd year with ASMSU, and has been a Senator, a member of the Outreach team, and the Events Marketing associate. As an experienced club leader, one of her top priorities is to make the club funding process easier.

BENJAMIN & JOSEY'S QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS: 

What is the value of ASMSU to students?

ASMSU is a resource availale to all students from any corner of campus, regardless of their major. ASMSU is an organization where students tell the university what they want to see from their campus. It’s a place where Bobcats can decide how components of campus should be run. It is where ideas, projects, and goals are brainstormed, drafted, and put to action by students. ASMSU is a gateway to student change. ASMSU is an avenue to possibility in the present that opens the door to opportunities in the future.

Where do you think ASMSU succeeds and where could it improve?

ASMSU succeeds in listening to student voices. It gives opportunities for students to engage with and impact campus facilitation, administration, events, and projects. For the Bobcats who are involved with ASMSU events, senate sessions, and elections, their voices are represented. However, there is much room for improvement. ASMSU needs to expand its student outreach so more students from across campus raise their voices. As of now, only a small portion of students from niche groups and corners of campus are involved. ASMSU needs to do a better job of hearing what students want. It needs to work more with university administration to expand academic resources, such as internships or work experience, to help students with the journey that lies ahead.

What initiatives are you planning to focus on?

We plan to focus on expanding internship opportunities for students. We want to work directly with university administration, both central and per college, to create more gateways to internships. Not all colleges on campus offer equal internship and research opportunities. We want every student from every college to find an internship they need, so they can have confidence in their major, their career, and their choice to come to MSU. We also plan to expand the MSU community by creating more community fostering opportunities. We want to make a large fall event after Catapolooza, known as CatStock, as a way to bring local and campus musicians, artists, clubs, and student organizations together with the Bobcat Community. We also want to expand upon existing outdoor recreation and club communities on campus, where students can make friends and connections with those who share the same interests.

Why do you think students should vote for you?

Between the two of us, we’ve had exposure to almost all corners of campus. We haven’t been involved with just one particular college or group of students. Between experiences of playing trumpet in the School of Music, coursework in the College of Letters and Science and Agriculture and experiences in the college of Business, the MSU Women's Club Rugby team, and experiences in Greek Life with the Sigma Nu Fraternity and Alpha Omicron Pi, we understand the diverse interests, backgrounds, and goals of MSU Students. With having an experienced club leader, we understand the frustrations club funding can present and want to make it easier for students. We are not here to represent just one subset of campus. We see and value all MSU students and their opinions. We’ll put Bobcat voices first and give students the resources to make the change they want to see!

ASMSU’s General Elections will open on April 7 at 8 a.m. and close on April 8 at 5 p.m. To cast your ballot, head to www.montana.edu/asmsu/programs/civic-engagement/elections.html and log in with your NetID and password.

Many students are also running for positions in the ASMSU Senate. To view a full list of all candidates running for a position within ASMSU, visit www.montana.edu/asmsu/programs/civic-engagement/asmsu-candidates.html.