Coalition Statement: “Bridget Binsbacher is the only candidate for Mayor with a long-proven track record of support for education and our students.”
PEORIA (August 18, 2022) – As students return to classrooms across Peoria for another exciting school year, a coalition of current and former teachers, administrators, special educators, coaches, Governing Board members, and many other education professionals announced their support for Peoria Mayoral candidate Bridget Binsbacher today. This diverse group of experienced professionals from across public, private, charter, and home schools released the following statement:
“As current and former education professionals, we understand the importance of quality education and its impact on our community and our future workforce. Bridget Binsbacher is the only candidate for Mayor with a long-proven track record of support for education and our students. She understands how cities and public, charter, and private schools can actually work together to improve outcomes and protect our quality of life. Bridget has been actively involved with our schools, our communities, and has a deep understanding of local government, which makes her best equipped to serve Peoria’s youngest residents. She has earned our trust and we know Bridget Binsbacher is the right choice for Peoria Mayor.”
Coalition members include:
Lisa Armenta, Teacher
Stephanie Barnes, Librarian
Karen Battaglia, Teacher
Ali Bridgewater, Administrator
Sabrina Copus, Teacher/Homeschool
Debbie Corcoran, Teacher
Tom Corcoran, Principal
Alice Cushing, Administrator
Steve Cushing, Teacher/Coach
Jayme Dunn, Head of School
Debbie Eubanks, Teacher/Coach
Larry Eubanks, Teacher/Coach
Joan Evans, Teacher
Eric Fisher, Teacher
Sharon Fletcher, Teacher
Lynette Gaydos, Teacher
Steve Gillet, Principal
Bill Golliher, Teacher
Allison Griesel, Vocal Music
Andrew Griesel, Administrator
Sherry Holly, Teacher
Vicki Hunt, Teacher
Allison Kramer, School Psychologist
Genna Laird, Teacher
Ginny Mote, Teacher
Renee Ouimette, Teacher
Mike Patena, Teacher
Sue Porlas, Special Education
Thad Porlas, Special Education/Coach
Dr. Linda Price-Barry, Principal
Lindsay Quackenbush, Teacher
Ginger Roberts, Special Education
Steve Savoy, Administrator
Melanee Seiber, Teacher
Todd Seiber, Teacher
Brian Shanley, Teacher
Roz Shanley, Teacher
Julia Smock, Governing Board Member
Michelle Spalding, Teacher/Homeschool
Mark Wood, Teacher/Coach
Bridget Binsbacher’s four children attended local Peoria schools with her youngest currently attending Liberty High School. Binsbacher has been a long-time supporter of local funding initiatives for schools including the successful passage of the Deer Valley Unified School District budget continuation in 2019 and the Peoria Unified School District budget continuation in 2020. More than a decade ago Binsbacher developed the Peoria Diamond Clubs Emerging Leader Scholarship program that awards a scholarship to a graduate from every school in the Peoria Unified School district. As a Peoria Councilmember she led the charge on the creation of the PeoriaAZ Promise collaboration with Glendale Community College and the Maricopa County Colleges Foundation. This is a last dollar out scholarship awarded to qualifying students eliminating financial barriers to higher education. Binsbacher also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Peoria Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to students and grants to teachers in the Peoria Unified School District.
“I am incredibly honored to have the support of so many respected education professionals who are doing the important work of teaching our next generation of students. They are the reason that we have some of the best schools in the state,” said Binsbacher, “Access to excellent education is essential for our long-term economic growth and our quality of life. From my experience on the Peoria City Council, I know how schools of all types and local government can work together to support quality education in our city. I understand what can legally be done at the city level to support our schools and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to strengthen Peoria’s relationships with all educational institutions.”
About Bridget Binsbacher
Bridget Binsbacher has lived in the Northwest Valley for more than three decades dedicating her time to public and community service. Bridget was elected to serve on the Peoria City Council in March of 2015 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. As an elected official, she has served two terms as Vice Mayor and has fought hard for fiscal responsibility, accountability, balanced budgets, and no tax increases.
Bridget Binsbacher has been recognized as a respected leader in both the public sector and professionally. She serves as the Executive Director of the Arizona Cactus League Baseball Association supporting Spring Training, which is one of Arizona and Peoria’s largest economic drivers. Bridget has been recognized as 2021 AzBusiness Leaders – Top Five Tourism Leaders of Arizona, 2019 AzBusiness Leaders – Most Influential Women in Arizona, and 2016 Arizona Who’s Who – Top Five Women in Business Leaders of Arizona. She is also a Paul Harris Fellow recipient and a West Valley 24 Mover and Shaker.
She has more than 20 years of professional experience in the finance industry with a wealth of knowledge in operations management, sales management, and business development. Bridget joined the Peoria Diamond Club as a Board member in 2006 and led the organization to new heights after being named Executive Director in 2008.
Bridget Binsbacher has utilized her business background and commitment to public service to bring trust, honesty, and conservative principles to the Peoria City Council. She has fought hard to hold the line on property taxes, promote fiscal responsibility, improve public safety, collaborate with citizens to build Paloma Park, and improve the overall quality of life throughout Peoria. Regionally, Bridget has also represented Peoria on Maricopa Association of Governments Transportation Policy and Human Services Committees.
In 2021, she joined the Arizona Municipal Water Association’s Board of Directors. She also serves her community by volunteering with charitable organizations, currently serving on the Peoria Education Foundation, and previously with the Alzheimer’s Association and Peoria Chamber of Commerce. Her husband, Jon, is a fire captain and paramedic in the Northwest Valley of Arizona. They live in Peoria and have four children.