Everyman.

Sen. Matt Walton, a rising junior in technology education, said he’s just a regular guy with a desire to serve.

“[I am a politician] in the fact that I have a passion for politics and I like government, but I’m not in a sense where I don’t mind going out to a party and getting crazy,” Walton said.

“You need to be who you are.”

Walton, Wally to some, said it is his down-to-earth style and uninhibited faith that makes him a desirable candidate for the Student Senate presidency.

“A lot of people see me as hardcore into Student Government, but the most hardcore thing I’m about is my faith,” Walton said. “God plays an important role in my life, and I know when times get rough one person I can turn to is him.”

With a choppy situation unfolding between the Student Senate and administration, Walton may need all the help he can get if elected, but he said steering the Senate in the right direction was simply a matter of organizational objectives.

“[The Senate] focuses way too much on politics and procedure — things of that nature,” Walton said. “We tend to forget the reason why we are there is for the students.”

“Without the students, there is not Student Government.”

Walton said the solutions to Senate’s lack of focus could be remedied.

“We need to maintain an open dialogue with administration, anywhere from the chancellor to the provost to Dr. Stafford,” he said. “The Senate needs to continue to be an advocate for students and in that we will continue to see our voice being heard.”

Though he admits all candidates are qualified for the position, Walton said he is confident he is the correct choice for Student Senate president.

“I know from the bottom of my heart I am the right person to advocate for the student body,” he said. “I would be humbled to serve as the Student Senate president because I want to continue to put the student in Student Senate.”

Walton said questions about his campaign can be directed to mdwalton@ncsu.edu