America First Candidate Crushes RINO Politician In Major Political Upset

Mesa voters sent a loud message Tuesday night — and it wasn’t what incumbent Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury wanted to hear.

Turning Point USA-backed challenger Dorean Taylor was on track to oust Spilsbury in a fiery recall election, leading 52.78% to 47.22% — a 867-vote margin, 8,219 to 7,352, according to initial results.

Roughly 15,897 ballots were cast, representing 32.3% of eligible voters. If Taylor’s lead stands, she’ll serve out Spilsbury’s term through 2028.

“I didn’t lose to Dorean Taylor. I lost to Turning Point,” a deflated Spilsbury told 12News at her watch party. “I think a lot of people in Mesa are going to be mad that an outside group came in and told us how to deal with our city.”

Though Mesa’s council races are technically nonpartisan, both women are Republicans. Spilsbury first won her District 2 seat in 2020 and easily held it in 2024, nearly doubling her opponent’s tally.

That changed after she broke ranks with conservatives and endorsed Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election — a move that infuriated local activists and put her in Turning Point USA’s crosshairs.

The Phoenix-based conservative group, cofounded by the late Charlie Kirk, reportedly made her ouster one of its last missions before Kirk was gunned down in Utah in September.

The recall petition, filed Jan. 30, accused Spilsbury of “using her office to advance private interests,” pointing to three controversial votes in 2023 and 2024. The city verified 3,858 valid signatures, clearing the threshold of 3,070 needed to trigger a special election.

Spilsbury defended her record in a statement printed on the ballot: “Two of those votes were approved unanimously (7–0), including support from Mayor Mark Freeman. The third vote funded emergency shelter for homeless domestic violence survivors, children and veterans. I will always support Mesa’s most vulnerable.”

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