The College Democrats and College Republicans picked their favorites for campus leadership positions at their annual endorsement hearing Monday.

Carrie Potter and Jesse Strauss won the CD endorsement for Student Association president and executive vice president. The group supported Mike Jewsbury for Program Board executive chair.

The CRs endorsed Patrick Macmanus for the SA’s top spot and Jason Haber for the No. 2 position. The group supported Brian Nathanson for PB head.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance, a co-sponsor of the hearing, endorsed no candidates.

Candidates answered questions from the audience about their platforms, motivations for seeking office and past experience.

One audience member asked the SA presidential candidates if the University-subsidized $11,000 tuition stipend that goes along with the office would deter their ability to effectively advocate students issues to the administration.

Potter, Macmanus and Sabina Siddiqui said a stipend would not hinder their ability to work for students.

But fellow candidate Jason Ditzian disagreed.

“Maybe it does make a difference,” Ditzian said. “Traditionally, from what I have seen, the SA president has done nothing and has always succumbed to the administration.”

Candidates for SA executive vice president were asked to discuss their ability to fulfill campaign promises when they are elected to office.

“Just look at my record,” said Strauss, a current Columbian School of Arts and Sciences senator. “I have worked to accomplish everything I said I would when I ran for senator last year. It’s up to you to hold me accountable and I am up for the challenge.”

Haber, also a Columbian School senator, stood behind his record as well.

“Last year at this very forum, I stood here and talked about a program for renting cars at discounted prices and people in the front row laughed at me,” Haber said. “This year we have a rental car discount program for GW students.”

The candidates for undergraduate at-large also discussed their platforms. Each promised to work to improve freshman advising, and to advocate limited class sizes while still enabling students to take the classes they need to graduate on time.

The CRs endorsed Cat Sadler and Melanie Witte for the two undergraduate at-large seats. Amina Chaudary and Alan Elias were the CDs’ picks for the at-large spots.

In addition to endorsing the three registered candidates in the Marvin Center Governing Board race – Andrew Benbasset-Miller, Scott Levi and Mike Petron – the CDs encouraged their members to support Meredith Shaller as a write-in candidate for the fourth MCGB seat.

The College Republicans issued no MCGB endorsements during Monday’s hearing.

CD President Adam Segal said the group will inform its members of the endorsements by advertising in campus publications and sending an e-mail message to the CD membership list.