TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Candidates running for Florida A&M University’s Queen of Orange and Green failed to secure a minimum 50% of the votes, pushing both races into a runoff election. 

Candidates Neikisha Francios and Kareen Dior Williams received 41 percent and 29 percent of the votes, respectively.  

 “It’s easier to use percentages rather than just numbers,” 55th Senate Secretary Rachelle Simmons said. “Typically, the number of students who vote the first time isn’t the same as the second time, so it’s not a consistent number of students.” 

The Queen of Orange and Green serves as a university ambassador at football games, homecoming and recruitment events a title both candidates are now fighting to claim in a runoff. 

Williams initially campaigned for Miss Freshman when she first arrived on campus, but a family death delayed her ambitions. 

“I just felt like I still had this passion,” she said. “I just wanted to see somebody like me as a representation that it can still happen.”  

Francios learned about the role from former Queen of Orange and Green Morgan Pinnock, who spoke to my high school class about FAMU. 

“[That] experience really encouraged me to attend FAMU and run,” she said. “She was one of the first people I told when I made the decision.” 

Both candidates spent the final day of the campaign connecting with students and reaching out to campus organizations.  

“When we found out on Tuesday …  we’re in the runoff, I was just so stressed.” Williams said. “I’m thinking, oh my gosh, it’s going to be over. But no, it wasn’t over.” 

Candidates were asked how they felt post-campaign and what they had learned through the process. 

“I considered dropping the day after the runoff was announced, but it was my community that reminded me how much I deserved it and continued praying for me,” Francios said. “It reminded me how important it is to have support.”