PHOENIX — The Republican candidates for school superintendent will square off in the first of two back-to-back primary debates at 5 p.m. Wednesday on Arizona PBS (Channel 8).
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Superintendent Tom Horne and state Treasurer Kimberly Yee will take part in what’s billed as “Candidates in Conversation,” moderated by Ted Simons.
The debate comes a day after an audit by the Arizona Auditor General’s office issued a scathing review of both Horne and Yee’s oversight of the state’s billion-dollar Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
Both Horne and Yee have been advocates of the state’s universal school voucher program. The state audit’s findings echoed previous investigations by 12News, which uncovered widespread misuse of ESA funds by tens of thousands of account holders.
The spotlight on the ESA program could grow hotter as the election campaign unfolds. ESA opponents and supporters are gathering signatures for competing ballot initiatives in November.
Early voting in the primary election starts June 24. The primary election is July 21.
Before the debate started, Horne and Yee were sparring on social media about policies on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Yee sent Horne a cease-and-desist letter over what she said was a lie by the superintendent about her chairing a DEI committee as a member of the National Association of State Treasurers.
In a response, Horne posted an image of Yee’s committee assignments at NAST, which showed she was a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
In a social media post, Yee said she had been a vocal opponent of DEI.
“His background is plagued with scandals, FBI investigations, a high-profile affair, and claims of corruption,” Yee said. “By contrast, I’ve dedicated my public life to serving this state with honesty and integrity.”
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Horne has acted as the Trump Administration’s anti-DEI cop, prodding school districts to scrap their programs or else face the loss of federal funding.
Yee, who is 52, is serving her second four-year term as state treasurer. She is the first Asian-American candidate elected to a statewide executive office. She previously served in the state Legislature.
Horne, who is 81, is in his second tour as superintendent of public instruction. He was first elected to the office in 2002. Horne, a lawyer by training, went on to win election as attorney general in 2010, before losing a bid for re-election in 2014, amid several scandals.
Horne’s campaign has outraised Yee by more than 7 to 1, according to campaign finance data compiled by the Secretary of State. As of the beginning of April, Horne’s campaign had a cash balance of $805,000 vs. Yee’s $243,000.
Turning Point Action, the Turning Point USA arm that promotes and gets out the vote for chosen Republican candidates, has endorsed Yee.
Democratic school superintendent candidates Brett Newby and Terry Leyba Ruiz are debating at 6 p.m. Wednesday. That event is sponsored by the Arizona Media Association and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. It will be broadcast on the 12 News streaming channel.
The Republican candidates are scheduled to appear at a second and final primary debate at 6 p.m. Thursday, also sponsored by the Arizona Media Association and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission. It will be broadcast on the 12 News streaming channel.
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