Scottsdale voters have given a clear early advantage to two candidates seeking seats on the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board. Unofficial tallies released by the Maricopa County Elections Department on November 5 show former teacher and administrator Jennifer Johnson in first place with 43,315 votes (37.51%) and incumbent Amy Carney in second with 37,745 votes (32.69%).
Both candidates emphasize a focus on core academics and community involvement. Carney’s ballot guide statement stresses putting “students first, partnering with parents, and getting more resources into classrooms and to quality teachers,” while also championing transparency and accountability. Johnson, who has served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and higher‑education faculty member, runs on a platform of “Strong Schools, Strong Community, Strong Future,” promising to keep neighborhood schools healthy, academically competitive, and connected to families.
Other candidates and board context
Third‑place finisher Jeanne Beasley, a paralegal, trails with 34,402 votes (29.8%). This mirrors the 2024 election, when Beasley also fell short. The two seats up for election join three board members—Donna Lewis, Matt Pittinsky and Mike Sharkey—who were elected in 2024 and will serve through 2028.
Current board members Amy Carney and Carine Werner have terms ending this year. Werner chose not to run for re‑election, focusing instead on defending her state Senate seat in District 4. Carney is seeking re‑election and appears poised to retain her seat.
Bond measure and property sale request
Scottsdale voters are also deciding on a $375 million bond proposal that would fund learning‑environment improvements, technology upgrades, school safety, transportation, and capital projects. As of the same November 5 count, 49,230 votes (54.35%) were in favor, while 41,343 votes (45.65%) opposed, suggesting a comfortable lead for passage.
In addition, the board asked voters to authorize the sale, lease, or exchange of certain district parcels, with proceeds earmarked for capital expenditures. Early results show about 69% support for that measure.
Statewide races on the ballot
Scottsdale voters also weighed several state contests. In the secretary‑of‑state race, incumbent Adrian Fontes leads Republican challenger Alexander Kolodin, who represents Legislative District 3 (including Anthem, Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale). For the two Arizona House seats in District 3, early returns favor Republicans George Khalaf and Cody Reim over Democratic challengers Julie Gable and Richard Spargo. Khalaf, a Scottsdale resident who runs First Day Public Relations, ran on a ticket with Reim, who previously debated former Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega over water issues.
In the State Senate race for District 3, Republican incumbent John Kavanagh holds a sizable early lead over Democrat Jeff Fortney. District 4, covering much of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, sees Republican Carine Werner trailing Democrat Aaron Lieberman, a former state representative who ran for governor in 2022. Democratic candidates Tammy Caputi and Karen Gresham are also ahead in their bids for Arizona House District 4 seats, seeking to unseat Republican incumbents Matt Gress and Pamela Carter.
What this means for Scottsdale families
Strong leadership on the SUSD board and the passage of the bond measure could bring needed upgrades to classrooms, technology, and safety infrastructure—benefits directly felt by the district’s roughly 20,000 students across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and parts of Phoenix and Tempe. Parents and community members who prioritize academic excellence and transparent governance are watching these results closely as the final counts are certified.
Original reporting: Scottsdale Progress — read the source article.
