Student Government Senate continued its preparations for next year by electing a new speaker pro tempore — Arts and Sciences Sen. Aaron Caffarel — Friday during a special Senate session.The other nominee for the position was Agriculture Sen. Jake Landry.Caffarel told the Senate during the session he was qualified for the position because of his experience, leadership and working relationships with other senators.”I believe we can do more to harness the new senators,” Caffarel said about his idea for a new mentor program within the Senate. Landry said he hasn’t held as many Senate positions as Caffarel, but he was head of the Rules Committee and worked with various temperaments.”This position should be held by someone who generally works behind the scenes and makes the committees run smoothly, and that’s exactly who I am,” Landry said. University Center for Freshman Year Sen. Cody Wells asked Caffarel and Landry how they would hold their opinions and take the backseat when needed.”My opinions are based on thought and rationality, and I feel I can voice my opinions that way,” Landry said. “I’m OK with taking the back seat as long as it won’t bring us to the fire of doom.”Caffarel had similar sentiments. “I’m an opinionated person as well, but if I were to chair a meeting, I believe I could hold my opinions,” Caffarel said. “Pro tempore can still voice opinions at times, however.”Former Speaker Tyler Martin spoke highly of Caffarel and said he and Caffarel have gotten along well after Caffarel opposed Martin for speaker last year. “Landry thinks he will be a great senator, but I am convincing you to vote for Aaron [Caffarel],” Martin said. “Aaron’s knowledge of the governing documents is probably more than anyone in this room.”The new speaker pro tempore will work with the speaker of the senate in chairing Senate meetings. The Senate elected former Speaker Pro Tempore Brooksie Bonvillain as speaker during Senate last week. The Senate recessed until Wednesday for further proceedings. –Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]