Concerns over alleged outside funding stole the spotlight during the Iowa State University Student Government presidential debate Tuesday night. 

The two candidates running for student body president are Josie Kelly, a senior majoring in agricultural and rural policy studies and the current StuGov senior director of communications, and Brody Kuhse, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering and current off-campus senator. 

Kuhse’s running mate, Nolan Klemesrud, a senior majoring in marketing, asserted that Campus Victory Project, a non-profit interest group funded by conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA), is influencing student government elections across the country, including ISU.

Kelly admitted to attending a conference hosted by Campus Victory Project, but said she did so as a way to network. She was invited to the event by Colby Brandt, a senior majoring in agricultural and rural policy studies and current student body president. 

During the vice presidential debate, it was revealed that Klemesrud also attended the “prospective” conference, but did not join the Kelly campaign when asked. 

Kelly made a recurring statement throughout the two-hour debate, in which Kuhse often pivoted to speaking about the Campus Victory Project. 

“[The conference] was an educational opportunity aimed at networking that both Nolan [Klemesrud] and I had attended, and again, after the conference, my campaign has not been affiliated with the organization since,” Kelly said. 

Kuhse remained combative throughout the debate, asking if Kelly had signed a non-disclosure agreement or continued participation with Campus Victory Project. 

“I think the students deserve to know,” Kuhse said. “I think it’s on their minds. I think they deserve to know, and I think you should tell them.”

Both campaigns are centering their platforms on student organizations. Kelly and Kuhse both emphasized the need to increase engagement and awareness of the Student Government and other campus resources available to student organizations. 

The Kelly campaign intends to better communicate with student organizations through a newsletter that will be released six times a year. The newsletter would include resources that are available to student organizations that they may not have been otherwise familiar with. 

“We believe strengthening student organizations will directly strengthen the different opportunities available to students … Making sure that we eliminate the red tape for student organizations is number one priority for us to ensure that students feel like they belong on campus, whether you’re here for one year or whether you’re here before,” Kelly said. 

Khuse is taking a different approach through his campaign’s “club clinic.” The clinic would be comprised of students who have experience with student organizations, and provide a resource for students to reach out to in-person or via email for questions regarding their organization, including, but not limited to, getting assistance for funding paperwork. 

“You email us, one of our members from the club clinic will get an email back to you in 72 hours or less,” Kuhse said. 

When asked about the closure of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) spaces on campus, both campaigns were centered, once again, on uplifting student organizations. 

Kelly emphasized that with the newsletter and advertising resources available at ISU, all students will be impacted. 

“We believe that student organizations have a unique perspective and are able to meet the needs of the students that they have, regardless of the issues that they’re facing,” Kelly said. “Henry [Rose] and I also recognize that many students have lost direct resources,

and so it’s important that we make sure that they feel included on campus and they feel that they have someone they can go to on campus.” 

Similar to Kelly, Kuhse also noted that the club clinic assists all student organizations. 

“The diversity and the audience and the population that makes up our student body is very important to us,” Kuhse said. “That’s why we’re committed to protecting student rights, protecting identity groups, protecting what people have, their backgrounds or interests in.”

Kelly also spoke about expanding dietary options at SHOP (Students Helping Our Peers) and expanding the parking ticket relief program. 

Kuhse additionally mentioned planning a “campus unifying event” in the spring of 2027. 

Students can cast their ballot beginning at 12:01 a.m. March 3, through 11:59 p.m. March 4.

In-person voting will also be available. Visit this website for further information.