A political drama is unfolding at Mississippi State University after student association senators voted to begin impeachment proceedings against SA President JoJo Dodd after he publicly endorsed an election candidate.
The charge of misconduct was filed after he used social media to back SA Vice President Roxanne Raven for his own seat in the upcoming student body election.
SA bylaws prohibit executive officers from publicly supporting any candidate.
The SA’s judicial council previously mandated Dodd recant his statement, acknowledge the unconstitutionality of his action and apologize to MSU students.
As of Wednesday, Dodd’s endorsement was still pinned at the top of his Twitter feed.
Raven “is the only candidate that I trust to speak on behalf of all students,” the endorsement states.
In addressing the impeachment process, Dodd issued a statement saying he spoke out because he is “not convinced that every candidate is as committed to” fighting for all students so that they feel “like they are a part of our Bulldog family.”
“This is an effort to punish me for speaking my mind, but no fear of punishment will silence my efforts to make MSU a better place,” he added in the statement.
Raven faces Cole Wood for SA president.
When contacted Wednesday by The Dispatch, Dodd said he is proud to stand by his previous statements and his only concern is next week’s election and the future of the student association.
He added no further comment.
SA Senators will hold a hearing on the situation Tuesday.
On the Web: MSUSA’s constitution, statutes and bylaws at bit.ly/1SlpDa7.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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