By David Beltran
An apology, a divided room and a vote that could have reshaped the Elections Committee defined the Student Government Association meeting Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Students and visitors filled the room to capacity and listened as senators debated a grievance involving a member of the Elections Committee.
The grievance concerned Rebecca Sexton, who was accused of failing to remain unbiased while serving on the Elections Committee for the 79th Electorate elections at UNCP.
Owen Phillips filed the allegation, arguing that Sexton was not neutral and violated her oath of impartiality. Phillips presented screenshots of statements supporting one side of the ticket. The evidence included TikTok comments from Sexton stating, “Elijah has done way more on this campus than you ever have” and “Elijah all the way….” Phillips called for her dismissal from the Elections Committee.
Sexton addressed the Senate and began with an apology.
“I understand why fairness matters during elections, and I take responsibility for how my comment could be viewed as support for a candidate,” she said. “I should have remained neutral publicly.”
She added that on Monday, Feb. 16, she saw a social media thread that escalated into what she described as hostile and disrespectful comments toward Elijah Griffin and Laniyah Harris. Sexton also pointed to posts from opposing candidates, including one that stated, “Imagine asking Owen and Jose to be your vice president and then both saying no.”
Sexton acknowledged that she reacted emotionally. While she said her intent was to stand up against what she perceived as bullying, she admitted her role required neutrality and expressed regret for how she handled the situation.
Both Sexton and Phillips were asked to leave the room while senators deliberated.
Vice-Parliamentarian Grayson Wortman spoke in support of Phillips’ position, stating that Sexton “swore an oath in front of this Senate that you would remain unbiased … we entrusted you with a job to remain unbiased,” before being interrupted by Vice President Demildade.
Candidate Elijah Griffin urged senators to consider Sexton’s perspective.
“Put yourself in her position,” Griffin said. “If you saw your friend getting attacked on social media … regardless of your position as senator or Elections Committee member, you would stand up for that person because it is your friend at the end of the day.”
Senator Jose Ortiz responded that the constitution prohibits relationships that could compromise neutrality.
“You keep mentioning her as your friend, and in the constitution it says that you should not have a relationship with one of the Elections Committee members,” Ortiz said.
Griffin replied that he was not planning to run for president when the Elections Committee members were selected.
Senators continued debating themes of accountability, emotional response and expectations of leadership. The motion to remove Sexton from the Elections Committee failed, with six voting no, seven abstaining and two voting yes.
The Senate ultimately issued Sexton an official warning, stating that a repeated violation would result in dismissal.
Following the grievance discussion, senators approved multiple funding requests. The Indian Book Yearbook funding request, presented by Evan Phillips, passed unanimously. The Men’s Club Basketball organization requested $500 from SGA; however, Griffin proposed increasing the allocation to $600, which the Senate approved.
The meeting highlighted the tension between accountability and grace within student government. While the motion for removal failed, the debate underscored expectations of neutrality and the responsibility entrusted to those overseeing campus elections.