What are you willing to do to be a politician at Howard University? Many students who regularly walk up and down ‘power hall’ will tell you it goes beyond just shaking hands or kissing babies. 

Spring time at Howard University doesn’t just mean darties. The exciting sometimes, cut-throat election season determines the next years leadership for highly coveted positions like HUSA president, Miss and Mr. Howard and more. The competition, cajoling and sometimes shadiness associated with these races began years ago, back when “ Old Howard” remained in full force. 

Derek Kindle, a.k.a “The Godfather,” was the wall standing between the Howard University Student Association (HUSA) and any aspiring politicians from 1999-2003. He was selected to be a HUSA historian freshman year, then climbed the ranks as student empowerment coordinator the following year while simultaneously serving on the homecoming policy board for 3 years.  

During this time, the student body was much smaller, meaning that every decision you made from the moment you arrived on campus was publicly documented. 

“Things like who your friends were from freshman year, who lived on your floor, who you came with from your city, and having a corresponding group of the opposite sex mattered,” Kindle said. 

Knowing the right people grants you access to positions that would otherwise be unavailable to those outside of your social circle. This cheat code to the top still exists today and some Howard students harbor mixed feelings towards this type of exclusivity. 

Nyla Jones, class of 2024 graduate and current PHD student, challenged the status quo by not participating in politics at all.  

“I didn't vote while I was here because honestly the politics pissed me off. I feel like campaign season perpetuates the elitism that Howard is known for. You have to know someone or have a lot of money to essentially buy votes. It’s the definition of classism” Jones said.

For the class of 2003, not everyone had the access to the seemingly endless coffers of the rich and elite and resorted to more unsavvy tactics. Some stole the vote certification stamp out of the unattended HUSA office to get ahead in the polls or convinced students from American University or Georgetown to vote for them as if they were Howard Students. 

After watching the political melee terrorize the school for long enough, the administration stepped in and tried to level the playing field. 

“There was one candidate who brought the band and children from the daycare on campus to help promote. People would even rent out skywriters. Once I returned as an administrator we had to write specific rules and regulations on what could be done and how much money could be spent during a campaign,” said Kia Baker, former assistant dean of student elections. 

In 2013 the campaign expenditures cap was placed at $5,000 for HUSA and Trustee candidates while all other candidates were limited to $3,500, according to the Spring 2013 Howard University Elections code. 

In an attempt to clean up the catastrophic fallout from the previous generation, millennial students led the student government purely on merit, but some still relied on digging up dirt on their opponents to gain an advantage.

Just like in the world, social media permeated the student body, reshaping the dynamics of political engagement at Howard. In 2008, to be mentioned on the school gossip site, Juicy Campus, was a scandal that some welcomed while others dreaded. Being caught coming out of the Towers late at night or having your sexuality revealed became an unrelenting topic of conversation. 

Michael Roy, a 2012 graduate and adjunct professor was only a spectator of the government affairs but reflected on how it was fair game for anyone who wanted to claim a title. 

“There were no heir apparent or backroom deals. You proved yourself at the HUSA speak–outs that the whole campus gathered around for. You being a part of certain organizations or holding certain titles didn’t matter, we judged everyone the same,” said Roy. 

In some cases, making an appearance on the gossip sites did come with setbacks for aspiring student leaders.“You had people who were meant to infiltrate and get close to people,” Roy explained. “To the point that when it was time to spill gossip everyone would put up their phones and swear this conversation would stay off Juicy Campus.” 

Fizz, our top supplier for campus drama, is similar to Juicy Campus in its hostility and unforgiving nature that some believe has become a part of the political game. 

“I mean when people get harassed or bullied on Fizz it's kind of just part of the job. Think of how when actual politicians like Trump use “X,” he knows people hate him but it gains him more popularity,” said Kamiya Jones.

Current HUSA President Jay Jones is a part of the expansion of what the new Howard is shaping up to be. Her story to the top wasn’t easy and required a bit of old–school Howard magic.

“We used the grassroots approach of gaining endorsements from organizations such as Quad Stroll and Step who would perform for us at the freshman dorms but we also had support from Telfar and Red Bull and were able to give away concert tickets,” Jones said.

For the spring 2023 election rules, the previous parameters set by Kia Baker were stretched to $7,500 for HUSA and Trustee candidates and $5,000 for all other candidates. Even with the greenlight to sign hefty checks some candidates, such as HUSA Senator Zion Eldridge decided to be an example of what a completely grassroots campaign can win you. 

“I believe in connecting with people and not giving or promoting anything extra to convince people of who I am. Ultimately I want people to like me for who I am and not what I have given them,” Eldridge said.

When listening to Jones recap how she became HUSA president, she seemed to have perfectly blended the approaches used by our predecessors. She was creative and personable, knew the right people, had a presence both on and off campus, and had at least a few credentials to her name.

“People were able to see me in every facet. I was seen as fun and down to party but could also switch it up and become your friend, mentor, confidant, and advocate. I never wanted to be just your president but all of the above,” Jones expressed.

With the spring 2025 election season looming over campus and candidates quietly assembling their teams, money and platforms, it’s clear that to be a politician at Howard it requires showcasing every part of yourself to the student body to prove to your peers that you deserve the title. That may come in the form of spending money, popping out to places like El Rey to make yourself a familiar face or being affiliated with organizations and people who will lobby on your behalf. 

Despite each generation's distinct approach to climbing the political food chain, they all understood what it meant to create and uphold a legacy. Every era of Howard students has attempted to build up the ivory walls of our institution by adding their brick to the foundation laid for us. 
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