Arizona Republican governor hopefuls debate about future of school vouchers

The four Republican candidates competing to run against Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs for the state’s top seat argued in support of the state’s school voucher program during their debate Wednesday night.

The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program was one of the topics presented to the candidates as part of the the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission debate.

All four agreed they supported school choice and ESAs but differed in opinion when it came to how the program could continue.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs argued for the expansion of the ESA program, claiming Gov. Hobbs is trying to “crush educational freedom” in her response to alleged fraud.

“One thing we found is, if there’s fraud, the reason that you’re hearing about it is because they’re catching people if they fraudulently use ESAs. There’s also tremendous fraud in the traditional [school] system that we have to come in and stop,” he said.

U.S. Rep. David Scweikert said he also supports an expanded voucher program, saying that the state pays more for students in traditional schools than it does for voucher users.

“Education choice is the future. It also, I would argue, is one of our attractions for economic growth,” he said.

Businessmen express support for trade schools during debate

Meanwhile Scott Neely, a businessman, called for more transparency.

“I do think there should be some regulation on the ESAs and some transparency with that, and how the money’s spent, but I also think we should expand ESAs. I believe in ESAs. And as a matter of fact, I want ESAs in trade schools,” he said.

Businessman Ken Miceli also supports school choice and argued that trade schools could be a bridge that offers parents a way to set their children up for career success.

“I’m a very big proponent of trade schools. An electrician, someone that repairs HVAC, air conditioning, can do a two-year term in trade schools and come out making $60,000, $80,000 a year. They could buy a house,” he said.

The four candidates will face off during the primary election on July 21, with the winner facing Hobbs in November.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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