Spilsbury concedes to newcomer Taylor in Mesa council recall election

Mesa Councilmember Julie Spilsbury conceded to political newcomer Dorean Taylor in the historic city council recall race.

“Though this election didn’t end as I hoped, I remain optimistic about Mesa’s future,” Spilsbury said in a written statement.

She said in the statement that serving District 2 residents had been one of the greatest honors of her life.

Taylor did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the recall election results.

The day before, voters in Mesa east central District 2 went to the poll to decide the recall election, in what appeared to be a strong turnout for a special election in an off-year. As of the evening of Nov. 4, more than 3,500 ballots had been cast in the special recall election than in the July primary election in which Spilsbury was re-elected to a second term.

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All day there was a steady stream of voters dropping off ballots at the Brimhall Aquatics Complex along Higley Road and Southern Avenue. Midday, both candidates were at the polling location attempting a final push for voter support.

Taylor wore a red shirt with an American flag, talking to voters alongside her supporters, who wore the white Freedom Charlie Kirk shirt. On a table were campaign flyers paid for by Turning Point PAC.

Taylor told The Arizona Republic she’s grateful for the support she’s received from political activist groups like Turning Point Action and AZFree, who have provided volunteers to knock on doors. She said the race was a “principal issue” between the two women, who are both registered Republicans. She identified herself as a constitutional conservative; meanwhile, Spilsbury was viewed as a moderate Republican.

Across the parking lot of the complex were Spilbsury and her supporters wearing white shirts with her campaign logo.

Spilsbury said constituents have told her they are frustrated by Turning Point’s presence.

“They don’t like these outside people coming into our district,” she said.

Spilsbury said earlier in the day she hoped she could continue to keep doing the work she had been doing over the past five years on the council.

“I just want to keep going. I want to keep working,” she said. If she wasn’t successful, she said she’d find another way to serve her community.

Election results in Arizona are unofficial until local and state officials have tallied all ballots and certified the results. It’s unknown how many ballots remain to be counted.

Constituents of Spilsbury launched the recall effort in January because of a trio of yes votes. Two of those votes took place prior to Spilsbury’s reelection in August, which she won with 65% of the vote in her district.

Voters react to recall election

Dozens of voters arrived at the Mesa polling location with filled-out sealed ballots in their hands, ready to drop them off.

Juan Beltran told The Republic he voted to support Spilsbury’s campaign because he was not a “fan of Turning Point” and didn’t like its involvement in the recall effort. He said he questioned why the political group chose this race and this city to get involved.

Esmeralda Waldron, a registered Democrat, voted for Taylor, she said. Taylor’s messaging to address homelessness issues and lower taxes resonated with her, she said.

Turning Point’s presence in the recall election didn’t bother her, she said.

She said if so many voters wanted to get her out of office, then there had to be “some merit” to the recall election.

What Spilsbury’s recall means for Mesa

Spilsbury was first elected in 2020 and was easily reelected to her second term in the 2024 primary election.

Residents cited a trio of three votes for the recall: raising utility rates, approving the transition of a hotel into a homeless housing program and increasing council salaries.

The real crux of the outrage against Spilsbury was her endorsement of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election. Spilsbury is a registered Republican.

The controversial recall in District 2 gained support from Turning Point USA, which held get-out-the-vote events throughout October and posted campaign signs across the district in support of Taylor.

The recall was widely seen as a litmus test for how much clout the national conservative group can wield in non-partisan local politics.

Taylor told The Arizona Republic in a written statement she was “extremely grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received from my neighbors, the community, local business leaders, the local legislative district Republican parties, and Turning Point Action.”

Spilsbury has told The Republic that she was frustrated that she had to campaign again one year after she “won fair and square.”

What happens next?

Taylor will be sworn in and take her seat directly after the City Council adopts the canvassing resolution.

That was tentatively scheduled for Nov. 17, pending the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors’ canvassing of the results.

Reporting by Maritza Dominguez, Arizona Republic