With a number of Democrats and Republicans announcing their intentions to run for president to replace George W. Bush, including North Carolina’s John Edwards, it appears the election season is fast approaching. This is even more true right here at N.C. State University.

As the professional politicians battle it out and accuse each other of negative campaigning, students may enjoy a similar circus act. A circus act not made up of lions, tigers, bears or even clowns, but of students vying for positions as student leaders.

Up for grabs are the coveted positions of the student body president, Student Senate president, student body treasurer, student chief justice and student centers president.

Also on the ballot are positions in the Student Senate, Student Media Authority and Student Center Board of Directors. Seniors will also have to choose their next class president and vice president.

Politics consume students just as much as they do the women and men who wander the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. It amazes me the amount of politicking that goes on in the “halls” of Witherspoon Student Center, home of the African American Culture Center, Student Government and the various student media outlets. All claim to have the students at the core of their interests.

Too often though, the so-called leaders of the student body, including myself at one time, sit up in Witherspoon Student Center trying to find ways to undermine other organizations, either by attacking the credibility of the groups’ leaders, or trying to find ways to cut the groups’ funding or student fees. Is this what the student body really needs?

Since the end of last semester, rumors began to fly of who would throw their hats into the ring. It is becoming apparent that all positions will be hotly contested, with at least two candidates running for each office and possibly some incumbents. Candidates in each race are joining forces with one another in attempt to draw voters to the polls.

Every student leader and potential candidate needs a good swift kick in the ass right now. We need to recommit ourselves to fighting for students, rather than advancing our own political agendas. This is N.C. State, not Washington, D.C., or the General Assembly in downtown Raleigh. Their attention must be focused on the students and the policies that affect them.

But if this year is like years past, the elections will be hotly contested between the competitors and their supporters, but not with the student body. As with every student body election, the general student population pays little attention, not unlike the national scene.

It is not like students don’t care, but rarely have a clue what our student leaders do for them. That is why this year can be different. There are issues on the table that student leaders can advocate and change, including a halt to tuition and fee increases and enhancement of student life.

Without leadership from students, these issues will be placed on the back burner by the University administration.

If you are interested in any of these races, pick up a form in the Student Government Office at 307 Witherspoon Student Center to announce your candidacy. Elections are sooner than you think. Trust me; this year’s election will be an interesting race. Names will be called, characters questioned – good old fashion political mudslinging.

E-mail Andrew your campaign strategies at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.