In a trustee race plagued with election rule violations and questions of candidate eligibility, Paul Schmitt, junior in LAS and former Illini Media employee, won a race decided by a difference of 688 votes.

10,367 students voted, the second largest number of votes in online election history, and the final result was 4,242 to 3,554, said David Mangian, co-chair of the Student Election Commission.

“The student body has spoken and their voice was heard,” Schmitt said.

Schmitt was not present for the unofficial announcement because he was at an Air Force ROTC meeting, but he was informed of the final result through text message.

Rob Main, junior in Business and Schmitt’s opponent, said that, though disappointed with the loss, he would help Schmitt by giving advice or assistance if asked.

“I had a good run and it was a tough one,” Main said. “Paul ran a great campaign.”

Main also said he felt that the existence of the Chief Illiniwek referenda was a large contributor to Schmitt’s success.

Schmitt said he believes he ran against a very worthy opponent and he enjoyed the competition.

“This has been an extremely perilous campaign,” Schmitt said. “He ran with a lot of passion.”

Before the results become official, Schmitt must first deal with an election complaint against him that will be heard Friday. Political science professor Paul Diehl submitted a complaint to the Student Election Commission regarding fliers that supported Schmitt and the Chief Illiniwek referenda posted by Students for Chief Illiniwek in classrooms at Lincoln Hall. Schmitt claimed that he had no involvement with the group’s decision to post the fliers at the commission meeting on Monday.

“Clearly they were running the campaign for the Chief,” Schmitt said.

After the results become official, Schmitt said he would speak to current trustee and senior in LAS Chime Asonye about when the two would switch places. If Asonye decides to remain the trustee for the full length of the term, Schmitt’s term would begin on July 1. Schmitt said he then plans to make himself immediately available to the student body by visiting student groups on campus. Finally, he said he plans to secure the trustee vote for the campus.

“Now it’s time to fight for the students,” Schmitt said.