By Matthew Holloway |
The ongoing recall of Mesa City Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury has taken on a new dimension. Late last month, Dorean Taylor announced that she is now challenging the Democrat-endorsing councilwoman for her seat.
While the Mesa City Council and Mayor are elected on a non-partisan basis, Spilsbury, despite being a self-identified Republican, has made no mystery of her political alignment with vocal endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election and endorsements of prominent Arizona Democrats U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego.
Spilsbury told Axios that she has been contacted by Stanton, Gallego, and Fontes who have offered her their support.
Mesa resident JoAnne Robbins, who filed the recall petition in January, told AZ Central that Spilsbury’s endorsement of Harris over President Donald Trump contributed to her decision to lead the fight.
“To use her position and to then come out and stump for those who are against our values, that’s a total bait and switch and a very big disappointment,” Robbins explained. She added that she and other Spilsbury critics feel that her positions on the council failed to represent the values of her voters.
Turning Point Action has taken a prominent role in the recall effort, leading signature gathering events and posting regularly on social media with Republican figures, including former State Representative Anthony Kern and former State Senator Justine Wadsack.
Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer, told 12News, “Julie Spilsbury was recalled because she chose to support Kamala Harris for president—as a Republican—in a district that went for President Trump by double digits.”
“It is proof that when you betray voters, there are consequences,” Bowyer added.
While Turning Point Action has not officially endorsed any candidates against Spilsbury, Bowyer told Axios, “It’s safe to say we’ll educate people on Julie.”
In comments to AZ Central, Taylor said she’s running for the city council because she doesn’t believe Spilsbury “cares about her constituents based on her talk (versus) her actions.” She added that those actions are “not representative non-partisan leadership.”
In a statement announcing her candidacy, Taylor said:
“I’m running to provide authentic representation to all residents of District 2 and to base my votes on constituent needs rather than personal opinions.
“District 2 deserves a council member who is transparent, accountable, and consistently shows up for the residents who elected them. This is a non-partisan position—a role that listens to both sides of the aisle and puts people first.
“My opponent has repeatedly voted against the will of her constituents on key decisions—including hiking utility bills, building homeless shelters in the middle of District 2 neighborhoods, and allowing men in women’s restrooms in the guise of equity.
“By not representing the values and principles that have made our country and community exceptional, Spilsbury has put us all at risk of losing the safe, happy, healthy, and vibrant Mesa we have all come to love.
“My goal is to reverse that trend.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
