EdVotersArizona.org launches as nonpartisan resource for voters to hear from candidates for Governor and State Superintendent
On the eve of ballots being mailed to Arizona voters, Education Forward Arizona launched EdVotersArizona.org, a website where the candidates running for Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction were interviewed by one of education’s most important stakeholders – students.
Students interviewed incumbent State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman, Republican State Superintendent of Public Instruction nominee Tom Horne, and Republican Gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake. Secretary of State and Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Katie Hobbs provided written responses.
The students, who are all Education Forward Arizona scholars, spent roughly 30 minutes with each of the candidates asking them about their views on topics like school funding, teacher recruitment and retention, improving student outcomes, helping more students go to college and ensuring that our youngest children have opportunities to learn.
“Our hope with EdVotersArizona.org is to innovate on the idea of having a traditional debate, which often does not allow candidates to meaningfully share how they will address important education issues,” said Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “The website gives the candidates a neutral and nonpartisan platform where they can share their ideas to move education forward.”
The student interviewers, Shannon Taylor, Jose Luviano, Ezequias Fuentes and Odalis Lopez Villegas, each graduated from an Arizona high school and now attend a university, community college or tribal college in the state.
EdVotersArizona.org is an innovative project that grew out of Education Forward Arizona’s poll of likely voters, which found that Arizonans prioritize many education issues such as ensuring our schools have great teachers and leaders, increasing school funding and teacher pay, increasing access to early learning and helping more students go to college.
Education Forward Arizona is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the idea that improving the quality of education in Arizona will improve the quality of life for all Arizonans.
Ed Voters Arizona is a project of Education Forward Arizona. As a 501(c)3 organization, Education Forward Arizona does not endorse candidates or influence the outcome of candidate elections.