Candidates for Undergraduate Student Government president and vice president probably won't receive an endorsement from current USG President Chris Saunders and Vice President Heather Shore.

"As of now, I'm not endorsing anybody," Saunders said. But he added that he may change his mind toward the end of the campaign.

Shore said she will not endorse anyone, citing the many qualified people in the race. She said it could create tension if she endorsed a candidate and then had to transition a winner she did not endorse.

The four tickets running for office are Latino Caucus President Carina Defferrire and Penn State University Veterans Organization Vice President Pat Scanlan; USG Senate President Mike King and Lori Pennay; former USG Academic Assembly President Erich May and April Campbell; and Matt Thomas and Joy Brown.

Saunders said he will evaluate the candidates' platforms and goals to see if they are realistic and feasible to better inform the student body. He added that previous USG presidents have taken a passive role in evaluating the platforms of candidates.

"It's my responsibility to keep the students informed as to how realistic people's platforms are," he said, adding that every year people make "ridiculous" promises that they cannot keep to win the election.

Saunders said he has spoken to several of the candidates about the role he will take and added that most understand and think it is a good idea.

King said he supports Saunders' choice.

"I think he's made the right decision," King said, adding that he wants students to make an informed choice.

Defferrire said it does not bother her that Saunders and Shore are not planning to endorse a candidate.

"I think that's fine," she said. "We have no problem with that."

Defferrire added that Saunders is just one student, and she is looking to represent all students. She said his endorsement could help the campaign in certain ways, such as making an easier transition into office for the winner, but added, "It's not a major concern."

Saunders said a president's endorsement can help or hurt a candidate, depending on how that president is viewed by the public.

"In terms of the elections, public perception is the judge of a president's accomplishments, not the facts or reality," Saunders said. "That makes it difficult to determine how a president's endorsement would affect the outcome of an election."

Shore said she was afraid that the endorsement of former USG President Rob Kampia last year would hurt the Saunders/Shore ticket. But she added that she thought it eventually helped because Kampia co-endorsed them with former USG presidential contender Jim Ryerson.