Basic biographical information:
- Name: Leroy Smith
- Office they are seeking: Vail Governing Board
- Age: 57
- City of residence: Vail, AZ
- Occupation: Retired
- Education: Associate Criminal Justice
- Previous elected office:
- Other relevant qualifications: I am a former Marine, disabled Veteran, Associate Warden with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Security Monitor at Cienega High School, Federal Whistleblower (sustained), and Correctional Officer for the Arizona Department of Correction. I am a Roman Catholic Conservative, member of the Knights of Columbus #14230 at St. Rita’s and American Legion Post #109 in Vail.
1. What do you see as the most important issue to address and how would you address it?
In these times…it’s a crucial pivoting point for our children’s future. Our children and grandchildren are being indoctrinated with progressive ideologies, which includes Gender Identity, Gender Pronoun, Misgendering, Transgender, Sexualization, SEL, CRT, CASEL, and the weaponizing of counselors against student and parents. Children are taught how to think, not how to think, which results in children being functionally illiterate and handicaps their ability to think critically. Also, Bullying, Physical Assaults, and Drugs in our schools is above reproach. These programs are dangerous and is funded through Federal ESSER III and globalist entities and have no place in our schools.
I would empower the parents and community members to attend board meetings, be part of the budget, curriculum, surveys, and book review processes prior to final approval. I will protect and defend parents’ rights by law, their “God” given rights, the fundamental free will to make decisions for their child, be it medical decisions or decisions on when to teach sensitive subjects. I would support getting back to the basics, elementary reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history and teach our students how to think, not what to think.
2. Why should voters choose you, rather than other candidates?
I will hold myself and school board members accountable when we fail to honor our positions! I will work to ensure that the stakeholders can trust me when I take office!
In my personal and professional capacity, I understand the unwavering sacrifice, commitment, fortitude, and faith one person must possess when facing the opposition and hardship when ensuring the safety, security, health and welfare of our nation and community. My oath of enlistment and service has no expiration date to support and defend our country, community, and school district.
I will utilize my crisis management experience to ensure operational emergency protocols are in place and functional. I will work with the other board members to build a team formulating rapid response plans to assess future potential safety and security risks and provide the community confidence that our district staff and governing board members will be prepared to comprehensively tackle school safety and security emergencies when they arise.
My OSHA and EPA background will enable me to provide guidance on future contagions and outbreaks.
3. Could you please provide a list of the people and organizations that have endorsed you?
The 2022 governing school board elections are unprecedented. The few have taken a non-partisan election to a partisan election behavior. In the past, school districts would plead for someone to run for a governing school board seat, even from within their own establishment, which there was no need to run a full-blown campaign or the need for endorsements. I am very pleased with my campaign, proud to receive the community support, and honored to receive the following endorsement:
Mr. Steve Christy, Pima County Supervisor, District 4
Ms. Shiry Sapir, former candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction
Ms. Mary Ann Cleveland, Vail AZ
Purple for Parents
Stand for Health Freedom
Arizona Free Enterprise Club
Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona
