Special Interest Agendas Interfere with Education Options in Arizona
During the 2022 election I crossed the political divide to extend my support to Tom Horne, the Republican candidate for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, as a parent in personal contract for 12 years with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. I secured the scholarship for my sons with special needs in 2011, when the public school alternative was created for students with disabilities. Tom Horne accepted the support and we even became friends on social media. I intended to vote for Tom Horne as a Democrat for school choice and encouraged friends to do the same.
I was unaware that school choice is actually a Republican agenda until after Tom Horne captured his second chance to curate student minds in the Grand Canyon state. He previously served as education commander from 2003 to 2011. I was also unfamiliar with his education policies since I use the scholarship to home educate my children.
By mid-February 2023 my personal e-mail exchanges with the Horne administration stopped. By March 2023 Tom Horne was no longer my Facebook friend.
Tom Horne narrowly won the November 8, 2022 election, without my vote. Today, I’m thankful for the last-minute family issue that kept me from the polls. But every vote counts, right? Perhaps this time, my petition signature will be the one that recalls Tom Horne. Just tell me where to sign.
Tonya Reiner
Director, Journey With Me LLC
May 8, 2023