Current Associated Students of Madison Vice Chair Tom Templeton declined his seat for next session's student council last week, allowing another current student council member to fill the seat.
Adam Johnson, who currently chairs the Legislative Affairs Committee, was asked to fill in Templeton's seat after his resignation because he was the first runner-up in the College of Letters and Science election.
After receiving the seat on student council Wednesday, Johnson announced Friday that he plans to run for vice chair.
""I want to continue some aspects of my work, but at the higher position where I can hope to direct the overall position of ASM,"" he said.
Johnson also said he plans to continue strengthening the relationship between ASM and city and state leaders.
Templeton said he believes Johnson's experience as Legislative Affairs Committee chair makes him an excellent candidate for vice chair.
""Last year, the Legislative Affairs Committee was not functioning and didn't exist for most of the year,"" he said. ""Essentially, Adam created that committee from the ground up.""
Templeton said, however, that Johnson's desire for the vice chair position was not a factor in his decision to resign.
Instead, he said he has several other commitments planned for next year and did not want to serve on the full student council, but said he is still interested in staying involved with ASM.
""There are a lot of different possibilities, there is the Shared Governance Committee, and also the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates program and process,"" he said. ""I also want to stay involved with Legislative Affairs Committee and lobby efforts.""
Despite his leadership experience, Templeton said he has not yet given much thought to becoming next year's chief-of-staff—a position created this year to help the chair accomplish day-to-day work.
The position, which receives hourly pay, will be appointed by next session's chair and vice chair.
