Arizona’s Legacy Media Misrepresents Mesa School Board Candidates: The Surprising Truth Unveiled

By Dennis Liles |

School board elections in Arizona are officially non-partisan, yet recent media coverage in Mesa has raised concerns about a focus on partisan affiliations over educational integrity. Candidates’ primary concern should center around student welfare, academic success, and parental engagement. However, recent reports have veered off this crucial path.

A recent news segment by a local NBC affiliate highlighted candidates Courtney Davis, Josh Chilton, and Lacy Chaffee, presented as a united slate. Notably, Davis was appointed to the board in August 2023, but the media failed to mention that her swearing-in marked her first attendance at a Mesa School Board meeting. This omission reflects a broader trend of biased reporting in legacy media.

Equally troubling is the media’s exclusion of opposing candidates Sharon Benson and Ed Steele from interviews. They had a mere few hours to respond ahead of the broadcast, raising questions about fair representation in the electoral process.

The slate of Davis, Chilton, and Chaffee has shifted the campaign dialogue towards social issues rather than prioritizing student achievement. Their shared endorsements from groups like Legislative District 9 Democrats, the Mesa Education Association, and the anti-school choice organization “Save Our Schools” signal a commitment to controversial policies. They advocate for inclusion of males in female spaces, support for special transgender rights, and the promotion of Critical Race Theory while opposing school choice.

In contrast, the Arizona Education Association has backed legislative candidate Lorena Austin, known for promoting drag show fundraisers and endorsing Proposition 139, which supports minors obtaining abortions without parental notification. Such stances have ignited debates about the direction of educational policy in the state.

The Mesa School District currently grapples with declining enrollment and budget cuts, compounded by stiff competition from charter and private schools. In this context, focusing on radical social agendas appears misplaced. Addressing the district’s decline should take precedence.

Candidates Sharon Benson and Ed Steele emerge as potential solutions. With backgrounds in education and business, they bring practical knowledge and a vested interest in the district’s success. Their commitment to academic excellence, financial accountability, and fostering parental involvement aligns with the needs of the community.

As voters prepare for this election, a crucial choice lies ahead: embrace a slate whose priorities may skew toward indoctrination or support Benson and Steele’s vision for a progressive yet academically rigorous educational environment in Mesa.

Dennis Liles is a Mesa resident and Precinct Committeeman in Legislative District 10.