West Valley Republicans are seeking to oust transgender Liberty Elementary School District board member Paul Bixler through a recall.
The recall ballot initiated in February needs 2,624 signatures by June 9 to succeed.
Valley Republican Elwood Kuentzler, who frequently speaks at the Liberty Elementary School governing board meetings, is spearheading the effort to recall Bixler along with other Estrella Conservative Republican Club members.
Kuentzler has tweeted out about petition organizing efforts on May 12 aimed at Liberty district residents.
The grounds for the recall cite Bixler’s opposition to House Bill 2161, a bill designed to provide parental transparency in the medical affairs of their minor children
“Paul spoke at the House Education Committee opposing House Bill 2161,” the recall petition reads.
The petition also seeks to oust the member based on gender and restroom philosophy in schools.
“Paul supports children (five) years & up intermingling in sports,” the petition states. “Including bathrooms, changing rooms or common areas.”
It also calls into question the appropriateness of Bixler using the female restrooms.
“(In) October, a grandmother spoke at a BOE (board of education) meeting regarding Paul and her interaction in the little girl's room that made her very uncomfortable,” it stated. “Paul has changed his license, by law Paul must use the little girl's room, it’s against the law for Paul to use the little boy's room.”
In 2021, Kuentzler previously tried to recall Liberty board member Mark Aguire but failed. The Goodyear Independent attempted to reach Kuentzler via phone and Twitter, but he has yet to respond.
In 2017, Bixler decided to transition after her wife died, feeling it was an excellent time to explore his identity. Bixler was elected to the board in 2020 after 30 years as a school professional. Staunch opponents of Bixler’s gender ideology frequently speak at school board meetings during the public comment segment.
During an LESD board meeting Monday, speaker Susan Cheatham admonished Bixler.
"I have news for you, Mr. Bixler, it's not all about you," she said, misgendering Bixler. "We are fighting a messed up transgender agenda to destroy the children that Mr. Bixler is helping to promote. With all the hormone blockers and with all the surgeries going on. It's going to stop a generation because they can't have children and here's the deal. The church has been silent for way too long. And that's why I'm here. Mr. Bixler goes to church on Sundays. And I will say this, how can you go to church and worship a God that you think made a mistake by making you a male?"
