AZ Governor Hobbs Caves to Anti-School Choice Lobbyists – Removes ESA Supporter from State Board

Newly obtained public records published by FOIAzona show that activists opposing Arizona’s school choice program urged Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office to remove State Board of Education member Jenny Clark shortly before the governor’s office discussed plans to replace her.

Emails uncovered by FOIAzona founder Brian Anderson indicate that officials in the governor’s office discussed removing board member Jenny Clark after receiving communications from activists affiliated with Save Our Schools Arizona (SOS Arizona), a group that has long opposed Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program.

Clark, founder of the school choice advocacy organization Love Your School, was appointed to the Arizona State Board of Education in 2022 by former Gov. Doug Ducey and quickly became one of the most visible defenders of Arizona’s ESA program.

NEW

Emails reveal @KatieHobbs fired Jenny @ClarkRimsza from the State Board of Education after lobbying from anti-ESA group @Arizona_SOS

Lobbyist @AZBethLewis wanted her Board to control the ESA Parent Handbook since #AZLeg wouldn't pass her lawshttps://t.co/9K095WoLfG (1/2) pic.twitter.com/0GWuaeOoI1

— Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) March 11, 2026

Lobbying Campaign Targeting Board Member

According to the records, an SOS Arizona lobbyist, identified as Beth Lewis, emailed senior officials in Hobbs’ office on Jan. 20 urging the administration to remove Clark from the board.

The message argued that Ducey’s appointments to the board were “profoundly anti-public school” and called on the governor to take action to shift the board’s direction “in order to achieve a pro-public education majority on the SBE.”

Lewis added that such a majority would be able to manage “revisions to the ESA Parent Handbook,” noting that “the state legislature is unwilling to put these reforms in statute.” 

Three days later, the lobbyist followed up again, emphasizing the urgency of removing Clark and citing her advocacy work with Love Your School, which the message described as playing a major role in advancing school choice policies in Arizona.

According to FOIAzona’s report, a deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office responded that the administration was “actively looking into this” and had “a plan in place” to replace Clark.

Top @KatieHobbs aides assured @AZBethLewis "we are actively looking into this & have a plan in place to replace … @ClarkRimsza" + promised to coordinate "the intricacies" with @arizona_sos

Goal was to undermine @DougDucey pickshttps://t.co/9K095WoLfGhttps://t.co/hhuvTpClW7 pic.twitter.com/bpcC54JuCZ

— Brian Anderson (@AZBrianAnderson) March 11, 2026

Removal From The Board

Clark’s term on the State Board of Education expired on Jan. 20, 2025. She later said that in February she received a call from the governor’s office requesting that she submit a resignation.

Clark declined, noting that other members of the board were continuing to serve despite having expired terms.

Shortly afterward, Clark was informed that her term had concluded and that she would no longer serve on the board.

Under Arizona law, members of the State Board of Education are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Arizona Senate to four-year terms.

ESA Policy Fights

Clark became one of the most visible defenders of Arizona’s ESA program during her tenure on the board, frequently advocating for ESA families and speaking publicly in support of the program.

Arizona’s ESA program allows families to use state education funding for a variety of educational options, including private schools, homeschooling expenses, tutoring, and other education services.

During board meetings and in public advocacy, Clark frequently pushed back against proposals that she said would impose new restrictions on ESA families.

Emails cited in the FOIAzona report suggest Clark’s advocacy was a central concern among activists lobbying the governor’s office.

Internal communications from State Board of Education staff obtained through the public records request reportedly showed staff members expressing surprise at Clark’s removal and saying she would be missed by board personnel.

Replacement Appointment

Following Clark’s removal, the governor’s office informed the State Board of Education that a replacement would be nominated for the seat.

The administration later nominated Tolleson superintendent Lupita Hightower to fill the position.

The full email records and documentation obtained through the public records request are available through FOIAzona.

Clark Responds

In a series of posts to X, Clark responded to the FOIAzona reports, writing, “Why would @katiehobbs be so worried about an Arizona native, public school graduate, married mother of five who launched her own nonprofit helping families across the great state of Arizona so much?”

Why would @katiehobbs be so worried about an Arizona native, public school graduate, married mother of five who launched her own nonprofit helping families across the great state of Arizona 🌵so much? https://t.co/EP2IW2mpDk

— Jenny Clark (@ClarkRimsza) March 11, 2026

She later quoted one of the emails attributed to Beth Lewis writing: “Adding to my resume! Thanks @arizona_sos for the glowing review of our work and to @GovernorHobbs for confirming our effectiveness with my prompt removal. Honored.”

The emails cited in the report were obtained through a public records request filed with the Arizona State Board of Education.