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An accusatory message sent by presidential candidate Alessio Manti at 1 p.m. sparked another episode of controversy in this year’s Associated Student Government race.
The widely circulated message, which the SESP sophomore said he first released on Facebook at 1 p.m., contained five claims against members of opponent Claire Lew’s campaign: “Campaign staffers calling Adam and I ‘a**holes’ and ‘douchebags’ when going door-to-door,” “Campaign staffers intentionally spreading false rumors about my name and where I’m from,” “Campaign supporters going through major dorms and ripping down every single flyer and quarter-sheet that was posted by our campaign,” “Campaign staffers falsely claiming that portions of our platform are illegal” and “Alessio & Adam chalk being vandalized with Spanish slurs.”
Lew, who received the forwarded e-mail this afternoon, said the allegations were “completely untrue” and issued a response message soon after.
“It’s disappointing to read something like that when it’s so unsubstantiated,” the SESP junior told The Daily. “I’ve heard the same things about my own campaign, but I didn’t resort to responding in this way because I hoped we could look past it. I trusted he didn’t encourage or condone any of that behavior either.”
Although he has not accused Lew individually, Manti’s message directed his claims at “the opposing campaign.”
“I didn’t want this to become a public issue, but I called and contacted Claire three times in as many days – all about separate instances – and her campaign’s tactics still haven’t changed,” he wrote.
Later in the day, Manti clarified he did not believe Lew personally directed her staff to act in an illegal or unethical way but stood by his message.
“At the end of the day, it’s the final responsibility that comes down to the candidates themselves,” he told The Daily. “Even if you didn’t, there are certain tones that are set in the campaign.”
Although several claims in the message are campaign violations, Manti said he has not filed a complaint.
Weinberg senior Jeff Cao, Election Commission chairman, declined to comment this afternoon.
Both candidates received violation claims earlier this month for campaigning early. In both cases, the commission ruled there was not enough evidence to support the claims.
ASG presidential elections are scheduled for Wednesday.[email protected]
