Petition Drive Successfully Gathers Signatures for Mesa Councilwoman Recall

By Staff Reporter |

Mesa Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury may soon face a special election, following a recall effort initiated by local resident JoAnne Robbins. The campaign, supported by Turnpoint Action (TPA), aims to gather sufficient signatures to trigger a vote against Spilsbury within the first year of her second term.

Robbins has reportedly submitted over 5,200 signatures, surpassing the required 3,100 needed by Friday to initiate the recall. TPA COO Tyler Bowyer criticized Spilsbury for alleged mismanagement, stating, “Julie Spilsbury let Mesa down. She has politicized her office and passed legislation that negatively impacts our community.”

Robbins’s recall effort is based on three specific council votes made by Spilsbury between 2023 and 2024, including the approval of a homeless housing program and increases in city salaries and utility rates. In response, Spilsbury argues that two of the three votes received unanimous support from her peers.

Concerns about rising crime and living costs have fueled community dissatisfaction. Violent crime rose by nearly eight percent in 2024, while overall crime increased by over two percent. Nevertheless, Mesa Police maintain that the city remains one of the safest in Arizona, citing ongoing community safety efforts.

Currently, estimates indicate that Mesa’s cost of living is about seven percent higher than the national average, with housing costs around nine percent above the norm. Spilsbury defended her record on her campaign website, asserting that her opponents are motivated by personal grievances and external influences rather than the best interests of the community.

Having been re-elected by more than 30 percent last November, Spilsbury’s current term extends to 2029. She chairs the Community and Cultural Development Committee and holds positions on several boards and committees focused on public safety, education, and local governance.