Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz

Taxpayer-funded school vouchers used for Disneyland trips and international travel, public records obtained by 12News show State Schools Chief Tom Horne had said no Empowerment Scholarship dollars were spent on Disneyland, but public records obtained from his office tell different story

You’re footing the bill for your wealthier neighbors’ international travel, thanks to this out-of-control voucher program. I’ll fix this on day one: follow the law, protect taxpayers, and put students first.

www.12news.com/article/news...

Condoms, gift cards and wedding gifts: Arizona parents allegedly misspent $10 million in ESA funds The Arizona Department of Education records obtained by 12News show misspending could be 20% of all purchases in the $1 billion voucher program.

If your school supply list includes condoms and wedding presents, it’s not parental choice — it’s taxpayer fraud. As Superintendent, I will stop the waste and protect Arizona families’ wallets on day one.

www.12news.com/article/news...

Voucher supporters say Empowerment Scholarship fraud is 1%. New records peg misspending closer to 20%. 12News obtained Education Department records showing that one in five ESA purchases—such as cellphones, TVs, and diamond rings—were on the "unallowable" list.

One in five.
That's how many ESA purchases are fraudulent. 20%.
The Arizona Department of Education's response? Your taxpayer dollars being spent on lingerie and diamond rings is an "honest mistake." No leadership, and no accountability.
Arizona deserves better. www.12news.com/article/news...

Arizona is in a teacher crisis with 8,600 educators gone in the last year. Horne’s solution? A taxpayer-funded snitch line that gets more memes than meaningful complaints.

A billion dollars.
No assessments.
No accountability.
Arizona’s students — and taxpayers — deserve better.

Hello Pinal County! Great to join so many young, motivated volunteers to knock doors in my hometown of Eloy this morning with @drruizforarizona.bsky.social!

Interested in joining a canvass in your area? Sign up on my website ➡️ www.joannamendoza.com/volunteer

We had a wonderful time at the Somerton Tamale Festival—surrounded by families, educators, and elected leaders who understand the importance of meeting people where they are.
I’ve visited all 15 counties in Arizona, and I’m committed to continuing to travel because every student matters.

For 35 years I’ve dedicated my life to education—as both a teacher and president of a community college.

Now, I need your help to become Superintendent of Public Instruction!
✍️ Sign my petition to get me on the ballot: voteruiz.com/sign
🍎 Learn more about our movement: drruizforarizona.com

Prescott, Happy Jack, Payson—fairgrounds to packed houses, I spent this weekend meeting with so many dedicated people committed to bettering their communities and supporting public education. It's a joy to get to campaign in rural Arizona and share this journey with you!

I-TEAM: ESA parents bought diamond rings, luxury clothing, and Kenmore appliances with education tax dollars Empowerment Scholarship families also stayed at high-end resorts, bought plane tickets, and even purchased lingerie as the state approved all purchases under $2,000.

“School choice” now means choosing between diamond jewelry and designer furniture, all with your tax dollars. Meanwhile, Arizona’s public school teachers spend over $600 out of pocket each year for their crowded classrooms. Voice your anger at the ballot box.
www.12news.com/article/news...

Having the endorsement of former Superintendent Hoffman is incredibly meaningful for me. Kathy blazed a path for educators, and she did so with courage and dedication. I intend to continue her legacy by boldly advocating for the millions of students and teachers who choose Arizona’s public schools.

EXCLUSIVE: 12News obtains records showing $440 million stockpiled in unused Empowerment Scholarship accounts that can be used for college Unused education vouchers, which primarily go to high-income families, continue to skyrocket while funding for Arizona public schools is among the worst in U.S.

Wealthy families are using vouchers to get a free ride to college while our public school students get scraps. This isn’t school choice; it’s a taxpayer-funded scholarship for the affluent, and it has to be regulated for public education to survive.
www.12news.com/article/news...

$118 million withheld from Arizona’s schools by U.S. Department of Education The U.S. Department of Education has withheld an estimated $118 million in funding that was supposed to go to Arizona schools on July 1.

This is another devastating blow from an administration hellbent on destroying public education. By withholding $118 million, our schools are robbed of 12% of their funding with a new school year a month away.
Arizona needs a superintendent who will fight back!

www.abc15.com/rebound/stat...

Sound the alarm: Arizona is intentionally neglecting public schools | Opinion Too many Arizona schools are facing impossible budget decisions, including closing schools and laying off teachers. They need our help more than ever.

🚨 Former Superintendent Hoffman sounds the alarm and gives us a call to action: speak up and stand up for public schools. With universal vouchers taking $1B/yr and the republican-led legislature neglecting public education, our schools are at a breaking point. 🚨

www.azcentral.com/story/opinio...

This race has become crowded with career politicians. We need a qualified educator leading our schools, not another politician exploiting our classrooms as a stepping stone for their own ambition. Please donate, sign, and send a message that Arizonans want real leadership and not political theater.

He’s surprised that people don’t want him policing children’s potty breaks? It’s time to put an end to this hateful obsession and elect a teacher to clean up his mess.

It was an incredible honor to join former Superintendent Kathy Hoffman in conversation at the @keepazblue.org brunch. In the face of unprecedented attacks on public education, it is crucial that we rally behind these inspiring students and again elect an educator as our next state superintendent.

I was filled with pride to spend May Day in solidarity with thousands of workers at the Capitol. But I was even prouder to carry a sign made by a 10-year-old student who is pleading with politicians to keep their hands off her education.

Is this what leadership looks like? The same man who oversees our public schools is also threatening to withhold their federal funding, based not on laws but on his personal opinions. If politicians won’t stand up for our schools, they don’t deserve to lead.
It’s time to elect a teacher!

During a meeting with retired educators, I had the opportunity to reconnect with La Señora Bridgewater. For four decades, this 99-year-old dynamo guided generations of students.Teachers inspire and impact lives, which is why it's critical we elect an educator as Superintendent of Public Instruction!

I'm a career educator, not a politician, so it's been incredibly rewarding to receive such a positive response to my candidacy across the state. We are just getting started! Please visit my website to sign my petition and stay in touch while I'm on the trail.

drruizforarizona.com

What’s been happening with my opponent, Tom Horne? He’s had a busy few weeks peddling conspiracy theories and threatening schools and families. Given his behavior and dangerous rhetoric, Horne is unfit to oversee the education of Arizona’s children.

Standing up for education alongside our youth, teachers, and veterans! It was heartening to see so many people throughout the country speaking up to demand #HandsOff of our students’ futures.

Thank you, @sosarizona.org for the wonderful event last night. It was so inspiring to see public education celebrated and dedicated servants recognized for their contributions. Together we’re building a future where Arizona’s students come first.

Politicians are seeking to destroy public education and push their own political agendas. I've spent 30 years in Arizona classrooms and know that future generations are worth fighting for. Sign my petition, donate, and get involved. We will all need to work together to preserve public education.

Read Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz Has a Million Reasons to Become the Next Superintendent of Public Instruction; All of Them Arizona’s Children now from Blog for Arizona for Politics from a Liberal Viewpoint Arizona Superintendent of Public Instrcution Candidate Dr. Teresa Leyba “Education is economic development and when we have a strong and thriving education system, we will have a strong and thrivin…

While politics was never on my radar, now is not the time to stay silent. There are a million students in Arizona’s public schools who need an educator to advocate for them. Read my interview with Blog for Arizona here: blogforarizona.net/dr-teresa-le...

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sues over sweeping Education Department layoffs The Thursday lawsuit said laying off nearly 2,000 people at the department will hurt schools and universities across the country.

Thank you, @azagmayes.bsky.social, for standing up for our most vulnerable students. While our state superintendent celebrates the demise of the Education Department, this reckless decision will disproportionately impact over 1,000 Title l schools in Arizona.

www.azcentral.com/story/news/p...

My name is Terry Leyba Ruiz, and after dedicating three decades to Arizona classrooms, I'm taking my passion for public education to the campaign trail. With our schools under attack, the role of State Superintendent has never been more important. Learn more here: DrRuizforArizona.com.