Letters: Biased reporting shows in Independent’s election stories

I write in response to the Community News article regarding mayoral candidate endorsements in the July 3 Surprise Independent. This is not in support or opposition to any of the candidates but rather a comment on the biased reporting that clearly lacked balanced research.

The article on page 2 provided 27 column inches to endorsements from the Dysart governing board president and a sitting Surprise city councilman. However, that candidate’s opposition was relegated to a self-submitted Opinion on page 8 (13 column inches) and the third candidate received no coverage other than four words to acknowledge his write-in status.

Further, in touting Dawn Densmore as a “high profile” endorsement, did the reporter fully research the state law’s intent in board members using their title to endorse candidates? Arizona Revised Statutes 15-511 prohibits school boards from making statements in favor of or opposition to ballot measures.

This does not prevent Densmore from endorsing her candidate as a private citizen but the use of her title as governing board president suggests to a reasonable person that the board itself supports the candidate. Densmore’s quote that her candidate’s values align with what “we” strive for in “our” educational system is a nice platitude but is irrelevant given the fact that the mayor has no impact on the policies of a school district.

Finally, congratulations to Densmore for receiving her award from the Coalition of School Board members. Did the reporter research this organization to see that it is run by the daughter of Kelli Ward, the Arizona GOP chair and indicted fake elector, and that the organization was created in protest to education policies proscribed by the long-standing and well-respected Arizona School Boards Association?

The job of the Surprise Independent, and all media sources, is to report the news fairly and in abalanced, non-biased fashion. Of course, the reporter, Jason Stone, can’t be fully to blame as his article and these questions about balanced research should have been seen by an editor who is ultimately responsible for the paper’s content.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.