Spilsbury fights for political future in Mesa council recall election
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
America's political divide is on display as Mesa voters decide whether to recall a Republican City Council member who endorsed Kamala Harris last year.
The big picture: City Councilmember Julie Spilsbury is in the fight of her political life as she faces Dorean Taylor in a recall that will test whether an aisle-crossing, centrist Republican can survive a challenge from the GOP's right wing.
Catch up quick: Spilsbury first won office in 2020 and re-elected last year by a two-to-one margin in the primary, easily avoiding a November runoff in her district, which she describes as heavily conservative.
- Opponents on the right launched a recall campaign against Spilsbury earlier this year, citing three reasons for their attempt to remove her from office — her votes to raise council salaries and utility rates, both of which were unanimous, and her vote to approve homeless housing in a Mesa hotel, which passed 4-3.
- The recall organizer said she opposed Spilsbury for her endorsement of Harris over President Trump in last year's election.
- And opponents frequently criticize Spilsbury for her 2021 vote for Mesa's nondiscrimination ordinance, which they argue would permit transgender women in women's restrooms.
The intrigue: Turning Point Action and Turning Point PAC, the political and campaign arms of conservative activist group Turning Point USA, helped collect signatures to put Spilsbury on the recall ballot and are aiding Taylor's campaign.
Zoom in: Spilsbury told Axios she's drawn strong support, including from Trump voters who oppose the recall.
- Turning Point has "come out hard" with signs, door-knockers and more, according to Spilsbury, who called it a "special interest, dark money" group.
- She said the race has turned "uglier" in recent weeks with misinformation about the nondiscrimination ordinance, which she emphasized only applies to employment, housing and public spaces, not schools, churches or sports.
- Spilsbury called the measure "very moderate," adding there have been no incidents since it was enacted in 2021.
What she's saying: "If all the Dems, independents and reasonable Republicans vote, then I'll be just fine. I do not think that the far-right is the majority of my district," Spilsbury said.
- City Council is a nonpartisan position, she said, and when you call 911 or turn on your water or get your trash picked up, "no one's asking if you're a Republican or a Democrat."
The other side: Taylor told Axios her focus "is being in the community meeting voters, hearing their concerns, and learning how I'll be able to deliver for them in ways their current councilwoman has not."
- She said she's "honored to have the groundswell of support" she has.