Questions are plaguing Tucson Unified School District Governing Board candidate, Adam Ragan, regarding his handling of campaign contributions to the pro-bond override account for the 2017 election cycle. Ragan was the chair of the Yes TUSD committee, which was formed to promote District’s proposed override.
Ragan’s committee failed miserably, garnering a mere 41 percent of the vote. Although the District leadership, including Ragan’s closest allies, Kristel Foster and Adelita Grijalva, were advised that the bond had no chance of passing, they pushed forward with the election eventually costing the District nearly a million dollars.
Because the Board was advised by a high-price consultant, who advised that the bond had no chance for passage, many perceived the Yes TUSD campaign to be little more than a effort to raise Ragan’s name ID.
View Ragan Q1 CF report
View Statement of Org Filing
View Yes TUSD Q3 CF report
View Yes TUSD Statement of Org
TUSD Candidate Adam Ragan Failure to Disclose Publicly His Conflict of Interest with TUSD PAC
Background:
June 13, 2017 TUSD Governing Board voted for a special bond election. Prop 458 was placed on the November ballot.
The $180 million bond was to address TUSD’s critical needs, including heating and cooling systems, plumbing, flooring, and lights.
August 25, 2017 Adam Ragan filed a statement of organization for the Yes for TUSD Kids Political Action Committee (PAC) for the purpose of supporting the “Contributions” and “Ballot Measure.” Ragan is the PAC Chair and Leigh-Anne Harrison as the Treasurer.
Per the 2017 3rd Quarter Report the Yes for TUSD Kids PAC reported Contributions from Individuals for a total of $77,900. Upon close inspection of these 50 contributors almost half were from out of town-primarily from the Phoenix area. Large contributors were primarily from construction, engineering, flooring, painting and energy companies. It must be investigated if any contributors are current TUSD vendors. Clearly they contributed in hopes the bond passed and that they themselves would become vendors for TUSD. Including PAC Treasurer Leigh-Anne Harrison’s employer Chasse Building Team contribution of $5,000.
According to subsequent campaign finance reports, of the total 78,900 raised to date a total of $67,275.04 in expenditures was made to Primary Consultants, LLC of Phoenix AZ.
May 3, 2018 Yes for TUSD kids filed an amended Statement of Organization. Paul Uhlan of Primary Consultants, LLC of Phoenix replaced Adam Ragan as Chair. Leigh-Anne Harrison of Chasse Builders remained as Treasurer.
Reports submitted after Adam Ragan withdrew as Chair of Yes for TUSD Kids, still contain his address. Ragan listed his physical address on the initial application as 111 W. St. Marys Rd Ste 224.
Adam Ragan filed his Statement of Organization for his candidacy for TUSD Governing Board on January 21, 2018. He accepted a $250.00 campaign contribution from Paul Uhlan on January 31, 2018 and a $35.35 campaign contribution from his PAC Treasurer Leigh-Anne Harrison on February 9, 2017.
Adam Ragan is running on a campaign of “integrity” and “Transparency” but is neglecting to disclose his involvement with a TUSD PAC while simultaneously running for TUSD board. Additionally, if elected he will possibly vote for these vendors who paid thousands and thousands of dollars to his PAC. The Yes for TUSD Kids PAC is currently active.
Reports from Pima County filings for committees http://electionfilings.pima.gov:8889/$ are attached.