Tucson Standard

As the legislative session in Arizona progresses, it seems increasingly unlikely that a controversial measure vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs in late April will be resurrected for an override attempt.

The bill in question, SB 1097, aimed to mandate that school board members align themselves with a political party during local elections. 

Despite gaining traction in both chambers of Arizona’s legislature, the bill faces significant hurdles to pass an override vote, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.

Spearheaded by State Sen. Justine Wadsack (R-Tucson), SB 1097 drew attention for its proposal to introduce party affiliations alongside candidates' names on the ballot for school board positions. 

Proponents argued that such transparency would empower voters by providing crucial information about the ideological leanings of potential board members.

Wadsack staunchly defended the bill after Hobbs vetoed it, emphasizing the importance of transparency in school board elections. However, she declined to comment further when approached by the media. 

"School boards are some of the most important elections we have in our communities," said Wadsack. "They're the closest to our children, and our local school boards govern issues that impact the education and well-being of our families. We should be able to access this information without having to dig and deduce."

Wadsack did not respond to requests for comment from the Tucson Standard. 

Critics of Hobbs’ veto, including some supporters of SB 1097, have accused the governor of safeguarding a perceived infiltration of "radical left" ideology into school systems. Conversely, Hobbs contends that the bill would exacerbate the politicization of school governance, diverting attention from the core mission of prioritizing students' needs.

Wadsack argues her bill would have enhanced transparency in school board elections. 

The measure proposed adding a party designation to the names of school board hopefuls. At present, candidates’ political affiliations are not disclosed. 

If the governor had signed the bill, its provisions would have come into effect for school district governing board elections occurring on or after Jan. 1 of the following year.

“Transparency in our school board elections is critical. My bill simply adds “party designation” next to the candidates name on the ballot… just like every other elected office official,” Wadsack said in a Facebook post prior to Hobbs’ veto.  

“It does NOT change how the elections are run.Any Republican against this idea is, well, not a Republican. We have too many Democrats running as Republicans, before forcing their true, far left ideology into our school boards AFTER they’re elected.Parents have a right to know who, and what they are electing to run their schools!” 

In her defense of the veto, Hobbs was laser focused on the political ramifications for such a bill. 

“This bill will further the politicization and polarization of Arizona’s school district governing boards whose focus should remain on making the best decision for students,” said Hobbs. “Partisan politics do not belong in Arizona’s schools.”